sell-by date

American  

[sel-bahy] / ˈsɛlˌbaɪ /

noun

1. the last date on which perishable food should be sold, usually established with some allowance for home storage under refrigeration.

---

idioms

1. past one's / its sell-by date, past one's or its prime; past the period of greatest vigor, success, etc..

   an aging actress, well past her sell-by date.

sell-by date British  

noun

1. a date printed on the packaging of perishable goods, indicating the date after which the goods should not be offered for sale

2. informal beyond one's prime

---

Etymology

Origin of sell-by date

First recorded in 1970–75

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sell-by date

Weight-loss drugs have only added to investor concerns that traditional food businesses are approaching their sell-by date.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

But in this context, as you said at argument, there’s nothing that demands a sell-by date, right?

From Slate ● Oct. 18, 2025

The recall announcement, issued by the wholesaler on Sept. 20, specifically concerns 3,314.7 pounds of tuna poke with Costco Item Number 17193 and a sell-by date of Sept. 22.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2025

The sell-by date of some chicken was altered and labels did not have the correct information on them to enable the source of the meat to be properly traced.

From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2025

There was, of course, an unavoidable sell-by date for North’s Dennis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---