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

This is where cuts that are a few days shy of their sell-by date go to await a second act.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

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

Another was the sell-by date argument beloved by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

From Slate ● Oct. 18, 2025

"They're well past their sell-by date," Mr Morgan joked.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2024

I mean, I’m already past my sell-by date.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2023