espresso

noun

espres·​so e-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō 

variants or less commonly expresso

ik-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō 

plural espressos also expressos

1

: coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground usually darkly roasted coffee beans

2

: a cup of espresso

Examples of espresso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Locals consider the drinks here to be the best in town, with cocktails like a John M. Longyear, named after the town’s founder (made with vodka, espresso, long pepper, and chocolate). —Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024

Frozen cocktails include the Fly me to the Moon, made with Pearl vodka, espresso martini mix, cacao and coconut. —The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

Diners 21 and older can also enjoy the Path of Totality, a limited-edition blackberry espresso sour beer available in cans and on tap. —The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Colors range from goes-with-anything black to more unusual espresso, grape, or hot heat (red), and more. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee is known for its handcrafted coffee beverages including signature mochas, espresso, Caribou coolers, teas and specialty coffees. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024

Customers sip on espresso while catching up on work from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. After a lightning hour transformation, the bar begins serving espresso martinis until 2 a.m. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024

And sales of home espresso machines are soaring as a result. —Tim Chan, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024

Despite the splashy headlines of a few years past, foosball tables and fancy espresso machines just don’t cut it, especially since many people aren’t in the office full-time anymore. —Susan Callender, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian (caffè) espresso, probably literally, coffee made on the spot at the customer's request

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

espresso

noun

espres·​so e-ˈspres-ō 

variants also expresso

ik-ˈspres-ō 

plural espressos

: coffee brewed by forcing steam or hot water through finely ground darkly roasted coffee beans