expire

verb

ex·​pire ik-ˈspī(-ə)r 

usually for intransitive sense 3 and transitive sense 2 ek-

expired; expiring

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to come to an end: such as

a

: to exceed its period of validity

The contract will expire next month.

b

: to pass its expiration date (see expiration date sense 2)

This milk has expired.

" … when drugs expire, you can't just leave these things lying around."

—Ed Haislmaier

3

: to emit the breath

transitive verb

1

obsolete : conclude

2

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

3

archaic : emit

Synonyms of expire

• end
• cease
• stop
• conclude
• halt
• terminate
• pass
• die

Examples of expire in a Sentence

My driver's license has expired.

She expired after a long illness.

measuring the volume of air expired from the lungs

Recent Examples on the Web

It was set to expire this summer prior to an extension that gives both sides an extra year to reach a new deal. — Dj Simmons july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026

The only permit issued for the property under Higgs’ ownership was a public infrastructure permit issued for the property in July 2022, which expired in June 2023. — Zuri Primos july 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Mora is returning to Liga MX and likely to join Atlético San Luis with his MLS contract expiring. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

Hazardous materials, expired car seats, and cribs should be discarded or handled through disposal or recycling programs. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Anglo-French espirer to breathe out, from Latin exspirare, from ex- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for expire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

Kids Definition

expire

verb

ex·​pire ik-ˈspī(ə)r 

usually for sense 3 ek-

expired; expiring

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to come to an end : be no longer in force

this offer expires March 1

my driver's license has expired

3

a

: to let the breath out

b

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

Medical Definition

expire

verb

ex·​pire

ik-ˈspī(ə)r, usually for vi 2 and vt ek-

expired; expiring

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to emit the breath

transitive verb

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

the basal metabolism test … measures the amount of carbon dioxide expired by the lungs

—J. D. Ratcliff