sell-by date

noun

: a date printed on food packages showing the last day on which the food can be sold
sometimes used figuratively
a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]

Examples of sell-by date in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The affected salads were assembled between Nov. 5 and 8 with sell-by dates of Nov. 7 through 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2024 The expansion of the Champions League, World Cup and Club World Cup mean there is more live football to come and in England the 3pm TV blackout — which is already starting to allow in chinks of light — will surely pass its sell-by date in the near future. Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 The product's sell-by dates are between July 29 and Oct. 17. Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Aug. 2024 The 'For Israel' come hell or high water stance may be well past its sell-by date. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sell-by date 

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sell-by date was in 1971

Dictionary Entries Near sell-by date

Cite this Entry

“Sell-by date.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-by%20date. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!