espresso

noun

espres·​so e-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce espresso (audio)
variants or less commonly expresso
plural espressos also expressos
1
: a strong-tasting coffee that is brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans and is typically consumed in small servings
2
: a cup of espresso
She ordered two espressos.

Examples of espresso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With the help of multiple rounds of espresso martinis, Persian music, and a few disco balls, the night turned into a full-fledged party. Florence O'Connor, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 From a simple espresso to a silky smooth cappuccino, this machine effortlessly makes your favorite coffee drinks. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024 French espresso Instagram / @iramshelton There’s nothing like a strong espresso after Thanksgiving dinner to keep the party going. Allure Editors, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024 Deepen the flavor: Also, many bakers add a touch of espresso grounds to really accentuate the chocolate, but this is completely optional and should be countered with a sweet element like more sugar. Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for espresso 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'espresso.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of espresso was in 1930

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near espresso

Cite this Entry

“Espresso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espresso. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

espresso

noun
espres·​so e-ˈspres-ō How to pronounce espresso (audio)
variants also expresso
plural espressos
: coffee brewed by forcing steam or hot water through finely ground darkly roasted coffee beans

More from Merriam-Webster on espresso

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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