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

Coffee closures Carlea Recinos, owner of CHNO Coffee Co, a small coffee shop and mobile espresso bar, also closed due to the weather. —Samantha Husted, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026

Before the world complicated things with espresso machines, oat milk debates, and influencers lecturing to you about grind size, wild coffee trees were clinging to the Ethiopian highlands. —John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026

To that end, our brownie pudding has espresso powder and coffee liqueur in the batter to create an extra rich dessert. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

Piloti will serve coffee and espresso martinis in its booth Sunday through Tuesday. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 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