express

adjective

ex·press | \ ik-ˈspres

Definition of express

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : directly, firmly, and explicitly stated my express orders

b : exact, precise

2a : designed for or adapted to its purpose

b : of a particular sort : specific for that express purpose

3a : traveling at high speed specifically : traveling with few or no stops along the way express train

b : designed or intended to be used for fast movement or travel an express highway with few local exits the express lane at the supermarket

c(1) : delivered faster than usual an express shipment

(2) British : designated to be delivered without delay by special messenger

express

adverb

Definition of express (Entry 2 of 4)

1 obsolete : expressly

2 : by express delivered express

express

noun

Definition of express (Entry 3 of 4)

1a British : a messenger sent on a special errand

b British : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger

c(1) : a system for the prompt and safe transportation of parcels, money, or goods at rates higher than standard freight charges

(2) : a company operating such a merchandise freight service

d British : special delivery

2 : an express vehicle

express

verb

expressed; expressing; expresses

Definition of express (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : delineate, depict

b : to represent in words : state

c : to give or convey a true impression of : show, reflect

d : to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)

e : to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)

f : to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize

2a : to force out (something, such as the juice of a fruit) by pressure

b : to subject to pressure so as to extract something

3 : to send by express

4 : to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process

Other Words from express Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about express

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Synonyms & Antonyms for express

Synonyms: Adjective

concrete, distinct, especial, peculiar, precise, set, special, specific

Synonyms: Noun

courier, go-between, messenger, page, runner

Synonyms: Verb

air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice

Antonyms: Adjective

nonspecific

Antonyms: Verb

stifle, suppress

Choose the Right Synonym for express

Adjective

explicit, definite, express, specific mean perfectly clear in meaning. explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding. explicit instructions definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision. the law is definite in such cases express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance. her express wishes specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular. two specific criticisms

Verb

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces. expressed her feelings in music vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words. a tirade venting his frustration utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech. utter a groan voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words. an editorial voicing their concerns broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion. broached the subject of a divorce air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention. publicly airing their differences

Examples of express in a Sentence

Adjective

the express lane at the grocery store a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

Adverb

They sent the package express.

Noun

He sent the package to us by express. He takes the express to work.

Verb

He expressed an interest in meeting her. She expressed surprise at his rude behavior. The results can be expressed as a percentage. The length, expressed in centimeters, is 29. They expressed the package to us.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Some express color preferences and other particulars. — Isaiah Freeman-schub, WSJ, "Each of These Tapestries Takes At Least 70 Hours to Make," 26 Oct. 2018 The design adds one express toll lane and converts the free carpool lane to express tolls, alongside the existing two or three general lanes each way between Renton and Bellevue. — Mike Lindblom, The Seattle Times, "Can $3 billion in toll lanes, interchanges and bus rapid transit fix I-405 gridlock?," 9 Sep. 2018 Equifax figured out a way to possess your data without your express personal consent and with no way to opt out. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "You Really Should Delete Your Google+ Account Right Now. But Here's Why It Probably Won't Matter.," 12 Dec. 2018 Some express subway service was also expected to end early, but New York City public schools were set to open on Thursday. — Rick Rojas, New York Times, "Second Storm of the Week Dumps Snow and Cripples Transit," 7 Mar. 2018 Amram, a veteran TV writer currently working on The Good Place, made the six-episode series with the express goal of getting the award. — Rebecca Farley, refinery29.com, "An Emmy For Megan," 12 July 2018 Users will also get concession benefits, like popcorn and soda upgrades and express service at the box office. — Yohana Desta, HWD, "Move Over, MoviePass: AMC Announces a Subscription Service of Its Own," 20 June 2018 Previously, there were no inbound trains during the morning rush hour that ran express from Western Springs. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Metra commuters have mixed feelings about new schedule on BNSF line," 18 June 2018 The money is being sought to add hundreds of new buses, more rapid and express bus routes, community bus programs for every city and more technologically advanced roads. — Larry Barszewski, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Sales tax referendum a go: Broward voters to decide 30-year tax for transportation," 5 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

All express pleasant shock at their changed Sundays. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Would you miss the NFL and the Cincinnati Bengals if they were gone?," 5 Feb. 2018 EXPRESS-BUS SOLUTION Why the Metro Gold Line is not the solution to traffic congestion in St. Paul: Congestion is primarily during rush hour and thus the solution must address commuters during typical business hours. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letter: Gold Line won’t solve congestion in St. Paul," 15 June 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Here, a collection of sought-after beauty products that warrant complimentary express shipping come Black Friday. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "10 Cult Beauty Products To Buy in Bulk This Black Friday," 17 Nov. 2018 Earlier this year, the Legislature gave utilities and other government agencies the express authority to sell surplus properties at any price for the purpose of creating low-income housing. — Daniel Beekman, The Seattle Times, "Surplus City Light properties could be sold below market value for low-income housing," 30 July 2018 The Framers reserved trade policy for Congress, which has the express authority to establish tariffs and regulate commerce with foreign nations. — Pat Toomey, WSJ, "Don’t Try to Blackmail Us on Nafta, Mr. President," 10 May 2018 The express train from Shulin in New Taipei City to Taitung derailed in Yilan County roughly 40 miles south of Taipei at 4.50 p.m. local time. — Trefor Moss, WSJ, "Suspicion Falls on Brake Fail-Safe in Taiwan Train Disaster," 22 Oct. 2018 If successful, a bus commute from Lynnwood to Bellevue will take 42 minutes, compared with 50 to 57 minutes on today’s express-bus schedule. — Mike Lindblom, The Seattle Times, "Can $3 billion in toll lanes, interchanges and bus rapid transit fix I-405 gridlock?," 9 Sep. 2018 Launching an initiative to re-enter China without Brin’s express approval would seem to be a firing offense, even if Google is now a subsidiary of Alphabet and operating with less direct oversight. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Google’s ambitions for China could trigger a crisis inside the company," 18 Aug. 2018 The partnership with Waymo could instead provide cheap connections to Phoenix’s high-capacity corridors of express buses and light rail. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Waymo’s self-driving vans will take passengers to public transit," 1 Aug. 2018 Currently, the only mass-transit option to Dodger Stadium is an express bus operated by Metro, which uses dedicated bus lanes on Sunset Boulevard. — Bill Shaikin, latimes.com, "A gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium? It could happen by 2022, Mayor Garcetti says," 26 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Complete with beautiful, thin petals, mums hold heavy sentiment, expressing the desire to share (red) and even representing that someone has a secret admirer (yellow). — Chanel Vargas, Town & Country, "12 Best Valentine's Day Flower Arrangements for That Special Someone," 18 Dec. 2018 Gwen has no trouble expressing her love for Blake, either. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Blake Shelton's Girlfriend Gwen Stefani Responds to Engagement Rumors," 18 Dec. 2018 Camila chimed in later in the day, expressing her shock and excitement, as well as her strange response to the news, which involved falling asleep after. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes are Going Head to Head at The Grammys This Year," 7 Dec. 2018 In 2016, Morris and other researchers designed an experiment to test whether a chatbot that expressed empathy could improve digital mental-health interventions. — Benjamin Powers, WSJ, "Once More With Feeling: Teaching Empathy to Machines," 13 Dec. 2018 After other journalists in the audience expressed some skepticism, it was revealed that Boris was no robot, but merely a man wearing a robot costume. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Dancing Robot at Russian Event Turns Out to Be a Man in a Costume," 12 Dec. 2018 In 2015 in South Africa, Sofia gave a speech at the Global Child Forum expressing her passion for helping kids around the world. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Sofia of Sweden Celebrates Her 34th Birthday with a Stunning Portrait," 6 Dec. 2018 Labor unions have also been hesitant about USMCA, with some, such as the AFL-CIO, expressing reservations that the new labor protections don’t go far enough and lack strict enforcement rules. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "US, Canada, Mexico sign NAFTA replacement at G20," 30 Nov. 2018 People on Reddit have discovered the upcoming change and have expressed mixed reactions about Stories on the platform. — Julia Alexander, The Verge, "YouTube is rolling out its Instagram-like Stories feature to more creators," 29 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'express.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of express

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for express

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French expres, from Latin expressus, past participle of exprimere to press out, express, from ex- + premere to press — more at press

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espresser, from expres, adjective

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Dictionary Entries near express

Statistics for express

Last Updated

14 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for express

The first known use of express was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for express

express

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of express

(Entry 1 of 4)

: said or given in a clear way

: of a particular kind

: traveling at high speed with few stops

express

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of express (Entry 2 of 4)

: by a system that delivers letters and packages quickly : by express

express

noun

English Language Learners Definition of express (Entry 3 of 4)

: a system for delivering things (such as letters and packages) quickly

: a train or bus that travels quickly with few stops

express

verb

English Language Learners Definition of express (Entry 4 of 4)

: to talk or write about (something that you are thinking or feeling)

: to make (your thoughts and feelings) known by doing something other than talking or writing

: to show (an amount, quantity, etc.) by a sign or a symbol

See the full definition for express in the English Language Learners Dictionary

express

verb

ex·press | \ ik-ˈspres

expressed; expressing

Kids Definition of express

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to make known especially in words I expressed my surprise.

2 : to represent by a sign or symbol The amount was expressed as a percentage.

3 : to send by a quick method of delivery

express

adjective

Kids Definition of express (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : clearly stated an express order

2 : of a certain sort I came for an express purpose.

3 : sent or traveling at high speed express mail

express

verb

Kids Definition of express (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a system for the quick transportation of goods Send your package by express.

2 : a vehicle (as a train or elevator) run at special speed with few or no stops

express

transitive verb

ex·press | \ ik-ˈspres, ek-

Medical Definition of express

1 : to make known or exhibit by an expression

2a : to force out by pressure express breast milk manually or by electric pump

b : to subject to pressure so as to extract something some pumps express one breast at a time— Paula Lynn Parks

3 : to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype a gene selectively expressed in lung tumors also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process individuals with the gene express symptoms of the disease differentially expressed proteins