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

The hotel injects local customs into the experience, like serving espresso flavored with lemon peel from a cuccumella, the Neapolitan version of an Italian moka pot. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025

This year, the popular coffee chain is offering Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, which combines its blonde espresso with hints of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar, all shaken together and topped with oatmilk. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025

Posey seemed to have finished the leftover pizza, so Charlie ate black Twizzlers for breakfast, along with an enormous coffee made quick and dirty from instant espresso. —Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025

It's built for espresso-style drinks rather than huge mugs, which makes sense in a small kitchen. —Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025

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