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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]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 'For Israel' come hell or high water stance may be well past its sell-by date. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 Those include Virginia old fashioned ham, Italian Cappy style ham, extra hot Italian Cappy style ham, bologna, beef salami, steakhouse roasted bacon ham and garlic bologna with an Aug. 10 sell-by date. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The products have a sell-by date ranging from July 29, 2024 to October 17, 2024 and were distributed to retail deli locations nationwide and exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 29 Aug. 2024 The liverwurst products under recall have sell-by dates that range from July 25 to Aug. 30. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 26 July 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 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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