sell
verb (used with object)
to transfer (goods) to or render (services) for another in exchange for money; dispose of to a purchaser for a price.
had been selling
-
past perfect progressiveof sell.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hochman on Wednesday said that before the chidken sandwich’s launch in April, the chain — known for things like ribs and fajitas — had been selling 20 chicken sandwiches per restaurant per day.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
Novo, which had been selling insulin for more than a century, didn’t run its first ad campaign for Wegovy until 2023.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
By then, DTN had been selling air-bag inflaters for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
For the last six years, she had been selling wooden crafts and keyrings through a page on Instagram - one of hundreds of thousands of Iranian women making a living that way.
From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026
The good Ser Osmund had been selling her secrets to Bronn since the day she'd hired him, hut Tyrion could scarcely tell her that.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
