espresso

noun

espres·​so e-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō 

variants or less commonly expresso

ik-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō 

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

Completing the trio is Refuge Coffeehouse, open Tuesday through Sunday until 5pm, serving single-origin drip and espresso, and pulling the cold brew concentrate that goes into Refuge's espresso martini upstairs. —Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026

There are notes of vanilla, malted chocolate, ripe fruit, pear, oak, and caramel on the palate, with some lingering baking spice, citrus, and dark roast espresso on the finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 June 2026

Triple-chocolate espresso cookies with bittersweet wafers, milk chocolate chips, and dark chocolate bars, espresso powder, and a sprinkle of salt on top. —Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 2 June 2026

The on-menu items are a couple of sandwiches (merguez, chicken), coffee and espresso and pizza, including an Algerian version hard to find around here. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

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

Rhymes for espresso

• gesso

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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