express

1 of 4

verb

ex·​press ik-ˈspres How to pronounce express (audio)
expressed; expressing; expresses

transitive verb

1
a
: to represent in words : state
b
: to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)
c
: to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)
d
: to give or convey a true impression of : show, reflect
e
: to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize
2
: to send by express
3
a
: to force out (something, such as the juice of a fruit) by pressure
b
: to subject to pressure so as to extract something
4
: to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype
also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process
expresser noun
expressible adjective

express

2 of 4

adjective

1
a
: directly, firmly, and explicitly stated
my express orders
b
2
a
: of a particular sort : specific
for that express purpose
b
: designed for or adapted to its purpose
3
a
: traveling at high speed
specifically : traveling with few or no stops along the way
express train
b
: designed or intended to be used for fast movement or travel
an express highway with few local exits
the express lane at the supermarket
c(1)
: delivered faster than usual
an express shipment
(2)
British : designated to be delivered without delay by special messenger

express

3 of 4

noun

1
a(1)
: a system for the prompt and safe transportation of parcels, money, or goods at rates higher than standard freight charges
(2)
: a company operating such a merchandise freight service
b
British : a messenger sent on a special errand
c
British : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger
d
British : special delivery
2
: an express vehicle

express

4 of 4

adverb

1
: by express
delivered express
2
obsolete : expressly
Choose the Right Synonym for express

Verb

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels.

express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

Adjective

explicit, definite, express, specific mean perfectly clear in meaning.

explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding.

explicit instructions

definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision.

the law is definite in such cases

express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance.

her express wishes

specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular.

two specific criticisms

Examples of express in a Sentence

Verb He expressed an interest in meeting her. She expressed surprise at his rude behavior. The results can be expressed as a percentage. The length, expressed in centimeters, is 29. They expressed the package to us. Adjective the express lane at the grocery store a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk Noun He sent the package to us by express. He takes the express to work. Adverb They sent the package express.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Residents still have questions about how the budget deficit occurred During Wednesday's board meeting, some residents expressed a desire for more transparency from the board and administration on their decisions to address the deficit. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 Colostrum is the first nourishment expressed from the mammary glands of a mammal, immediately and up to a few days after giving birth. Antara Sinha, Bon Appétit, 21 Mar. 2024 Mina noted that Good Bones viewers have expressed disappointment over the decision to wrap up the show on social media. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 From 2015 to 2023, the percentage of Americans who expressed a lot of confidence in the higher education system fell from 57% to 36%, according to a recent Gallup poll. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024 Some of the 15 signatories to the House discharge petition expressed confidence to CBS News that a vote on Ukraine financial aid would be certain to pass in the House, once a vote is permitted. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 At a press conference, Chicago’s police superintendent, Larry Snelling, expressed frustration over Brand’s parole release after several violations of his probation. Melissa Noel, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 Background actors expressed fears during last summer’s strike that AI technology would be used to replace their jobs. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 But some educators have expressed concern about the broader zero-tolerance approach, saying that controlling students’ behavior so minutely might produce excellent academic results, but does not foster autonomy or critical thinking. Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 It's rumored that British tabloids don't usually publish paparazzi photos of the royals without express permission, so some suspected that this image was fed to the outlet by royal staff and that it, too, had been doctored. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 Late last month, the City Council heard from several residents who were either in support of the changes or who called for the express line to be eliminated. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 This case doesn’t involve deception, but rather just what the FTC sees as unfairness in how the company sold data that could cause people substantial injury, without their express consent. David Meyer, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 The express mode also isn’t very much faster than steaming vegetables in the microwave. Laura Denby, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024 Could centuries-old religious beliefs have been implanted with the express purpose of manipulating the masses? Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for the quickest entry. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Feb. 2024 With the end of the war, railroads and express companies went back to private ownership in March 1920. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
Almost 30 percent of professionals working in AI express that regulation might stifle innovation, compared with about 19 percent of their non-AI counterparts. Carlos Ignacio Gutierrez, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024 The storm will start out very warm – fueled by moisture from near Hawaii that earns it the moniker of a pineapple express – and unload mainly rain in all but the absolute highest elevations in Northern California Wednesday. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024 Voters across the spectrum express concern about America’s oldest president, who would be 86 at the end of a second term. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Part of the change-over was consolidating seven railway express companies into a single entity, the American Railway Express Agency (AREA), which began operation in July 1918. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024 Coinciding with the ascension of the Rangers, the cracks in Houston’s armor could spell an end to their supremacy over the division and their annual express pass to the ALCS. Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Well, fasten your seatbelts because the longevity express is here to change that. Jennifer Stojkovic, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2024 The claustrophobia is palpable and perfectly executed as hot mess express Andri watches his investigation and his personal relationships unravel. David Faris, theweek, 14 Jan. 2024 Americans like speed: fast food, same-day Amazon door drops and airport express lines. Bob Fernandez, WSJ, 5 July 2023
Adverb
All express pleasant shock at their changed Sundays. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 5 Feb. 2018 EXPRESS-BUS SOLUTION Why the Metro Gold Line is not the solution to traffic congestion in St. Paul: Congestion is primarily during rush hour and thus the solution must address commuters during typical business hours. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'express.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espresser, from expres, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French expres, from Latin expressus, past participle of exprimere to press out, express, from ex- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1f

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of express was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near express

Cite this Entry

“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/express. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

express

1 of 4 adjective
ex·​press ik-ˈspres How to pronounce express (audio)
1
: explicit
my express orders
express written consent
2
: of a particular sort : specific
came for that express purpose
3
: sent or traveling at high speed
express mail
especially : making few or no stops
an express train

express

2 of 4 adverb
: by express
send a package express

express

3 of 4 noun
1
a
: a system for the special transportation of goods
b
: a company operating such a service
c
: the goods or shipments so transported
2
: an express vehicle (as an elevator or train)

express

4 of 4 verb
1
a
: to represent or give expression to especially in words : state
b
: to make one's opinions, feelings, or abilities known
c
: to represent especially by a mathematical sign or symbol : symbolize
2
: to press or squeeze out
3
: to send by express
expresser noun
expressible adjective

Medical Definition

express

transitive verb
ex·​press ik-ˈspres, ek- How to pronounce express (audio)
1
: to make known or exhibit by an expression
2
a
: to force out by pressure
express breast milk manually or by electric pump
b
: to subject to pressure so as to extract something
some pumps express one breast at a timePaula Lynn Parks
3
: to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype
a gene selectively expressed in lung tumors
also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process
individuals with the gene express symptoms of the disease
differentially expressed proteins

Legal Definition

express

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​press
: directly and distinctly stated or expressed rather than implied or left to inference compare implied

express

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make known (one's thoughts, ideas, or opinions) by words, conduct, or symbols see also expression

More from Merriam-Webster on express

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