express

¹ex·press

adjective \ik-ˈspres\

Definition of EXPRESS

1

a : directly, firmly, and explicitly stated <my express orders>

b : exact, precise

2

a : designed for or adapted to its purpose

b : of a particular sort : specific <for that express purpose>

3

a : traveling at high speed; specifically : traveling with few or no stops along the way <express train>

b : adapted or suitable for travel at high speed <an express highway>

c British : designated to be delivered without delay by special messenger

Examples of EXPRESS

1. the express lane at the grocery store
2. <a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk>

Origin of EXPRESS

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: 14th century

Related to EXPRESS

Synonyms

concrete, distinct, especial, peculiar, precise, set, special, specific

Antonyms

nonspecific

Related Words

lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary; distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique; limited, restricted; differentiated, specialized; given, specified

Near Antonyms

general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

See Synonym Discussion at explicit

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, cupola, gauge, vestibule, yard

Rhymes with EXPRESS

abscess, access, address, aggress, assess, bench-press, caress, clothespress, coatdress, cold-press, compress, confess, cross-dress, CS, depress, de-stress, digress, distress, drill press, egress, excess, finesse, fluoresce, French press, full-dress, handpress, headdress, housedress, idlesse, impress, ingress, Meknes, much less, nightdress, noblesse, no less, obsess, oppress, outguess, possess, precess, prestress, princess, process, profess, progress, recess, redress, regress, re-press, repress, shirtdress, side-dress, SS, success, sundress, suppress, tendresse, top-dress, transgress, undress, unless, web press, winepress, word stress

²express

adverb

Definition of EXPRESS

1

obsolete : expressly

2

: by express <delivered express>

Examples of EXPRESS

1. They sent the package express.

First Known Use of EXPRESS

14th century

³express

noun

Definition of EXPRESS

1

a British : a messenger sent on a special errand

b British : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger

c (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

d British : special delivery

2

: an express vehicle

Examples of EXPRESS

1. He sent the package to us by express.
2. He takes the express to work.

First Known Use of EXPRESS

1619

Related to EXPRESS

Synonyms

courier, messenger [British], go-between, page, runner

Related Words

forerunner, harbinger, herald; agent, ambassador, delegate, deputy, emissary, envoy, representative; bearer, carrier, deliveryman, letter carrier, mail carrier, mailman

⁴express

transitive verb

Definition of EXPRESS

1

a : delineate, depict

b : to represent in words : state

c : to give or convey a true impression of : show, reflect

d : to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)

e : to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)

f : to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize

2

a : to force out (as the juice of a fruit) by pressure

b : to subject to pressure so as to extract something

3

: to send by express

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

— ex·press·er noun

— ex·press·ible \-ə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of EXPRESS

1. He expressed an interest in meeting her.
2. She expressed surprise at his rude behavior.
3. The results can be expressed as a percentage.
4. The length, expressed in centimeters, is 29.
5. They expressed the package to us.

Origin of EXPRESS

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXPRESS

Synonyms

air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice, give air to, put forth

Antonyms

stifle, suppress

Related Words

advertise, announce, declare, enounce, enunciate, proclaim, say; broadcast, circulate, disseminate, publish; describe, write, write up; sound off, speak out, speak up; chime in; communicate, convey, put across, put over; offer, submit

Near Antonyms

censor, restrain, restrict

Synonym Discussion of EXPRESS

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>.

ex·press

transitive verb \ik-ˈspres, ek-\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EXPRESS

1

: to make known or exhibit by an expression

2

a : to force out by pressure <express milk manually or by electric pump> b : to subject to pressure so as to extract something <some pumps express one breast at a time—Paula 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>