express

1 of 4

verb

ex·​press ik-ˈspres 

expressed; expressing; expresses

transitive verb

1

a

: to represent in words : state

b

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

c

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

d

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

e

: to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize

f

: delineate, depict

2

: to send by express

3

a

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

b

: to subject to pressure so as to extract something

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

expresser noun

expressible

ik-ˈspre-sə-bəl 

adjective

express

2 of 4

adjective

1

a

: directly, firmly, and explicitly stated

my express orders

b

: exact, precise

2

a

: of a particular sort : specific

for that express purpose

b

: designed for or adapted to its purpose

3

a

: 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

3 of 4

noun

1

a(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

b

British : a messenger sent on a special errand

c

British : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger

d

British : special delivery

2

: an express vehicle

express

4 of 4

adverb

1

: by express

delivered express

2

obsolete : expressly

Synonyms

Verb

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

Adjective

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

Noun

• courier
• go-between
• messenger
• page
• runner

Choose the Right Synonym for express

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

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

Examples of express in a Sentence

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.

Adjective

the express lane at the grocery store

a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

Noun

He sent the package to us by express.

He takes the express to work.

Adverb

They sent the package express.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cassidy Sparrow / Getty Images for Values Partners file Celebrities, activists and other fans expressed their condolences in the comments on a post on Latt’s Instagram about his death. —Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2023

Confidently and respectfully expressing your opinions, needs and boundaries, while also being considerate of others’ rights and feelings, doesn’t come naturally to everyone. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Adding to the perplexities, a major studio expressed interest in screening Fancy Dance internally for diversity training, yet showed no intent to discuss acquisition, exemplifying the industry’s often superficial engagement with diversity and representation. —Erica Tremblay, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023

All three actors have expressed interest in playing Spider-Man together again, which would no doubt pump up the box office for Marvel. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023

Speaking at the New York Times DealBook summit shortly before the announcement, OpenAI cofounder Elon Musk expressed concerns about Altman and questioned why Sutskever had voted to fire him. —Will Knight, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2023

Prior to his criticism of advertisers, Musk expressed remorse for a post on X earlier this month that was widely condemned as antisemitic. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023

Goldman Sachs has held talks with American Express Co. to take over the Apple credit card and other services, but that company expressed concerns about loss rates, the Journal said. —Mark Gurman, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023

This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American. —Josephine Latu-Sanft, Scientific American, 29 Nov. 2023

Adjective

Decisions like these, involving people who almost certainly cannot give express consent, hang over the sterilization debate. —Sarah Hurtes, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023

Taiga Motors was started by three college buddies with the express intent of electrifying outdoor powersport vehicles. —WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023

FedEx offices will be open on Friday and Saturday, but on Friday, its express service will have early on-call pickups in some areas and its ground economy deliveries may be delayed because of the Postal Service's observance of the holiday. —Alex Sundby, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2023

Funded primarily by donations, the nonprofit allows men of color to nominate others to receive bouquets as a way to improve mental health, express appreciation and combat toxic masculinity. —Joanne Fowler, Peoplemag, 27 Oct. 2023

The patrons will then either be robbed or driven around Austin with the express intent of getting as much money, compensation, or items from the patron as possible. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2023

Dubbed Rapid 227, the express bus is geared partly toward binational commuters who use the Otay border crossing’s pedestrian lanes, which are slated for a significant expansion early next year. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2023

That instant recognition makes for an instantly winning Halloween costume, an express character study achievable through beauty alone. —Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2023

She was prohibited from leaving her hotel room without express permission and kept under 24-hour surveillance. —Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2023

Noun

Americans like speed: fast food, same-day Amazon door drops and airport express lines. —Bob Fernandez, WSJ, 5 July 2023

This also means that the mail will not run (with the exception of special holiday express deliveries). —Maggie Horton, Country Living, 19 June 2023

Pineapple express is a TV-friendly phrase that refers to the warm, airborne rivers of moisture that are drawn from the subtropics by storms out of the North Pacific. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023

Earlier this year, the country celebrated opening the first stretch of a new eight-lane express highway connecting the cities of New Delhi and Mumbai. —Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Apr. 2023

Haverhill Line trains were operating express between Ballardvale and North Station, the MBTA commuter rail said on Twitter at 6:34 p.m. Passengers between Reading & Malden Center were advised to consider Bus #137 and an Orange line connection for alternative service. —Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Jan. 2022

So what shifting currents might the Academy Museum express? —Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2021

According to Healey, The Valhalla 55 will thrive in a variety of roles – offshore tournament contender, high-performance sport yacht, fish-and-cruise express, or tender to a Viking or superyacht. —Bill Springer, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023

Love you more than chunking express, or Denis Johnson’s already dead, or the stooges’ raw power. —Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 11 Apr. 2023

Adverb

All express pleasant shock at their changed Sundays. —Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 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, 15 June 2017

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Adjective

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

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing express

• re-express
• pony express
• express itself/themselves
• express oneself
• express lane
• express train

• re-express
• pony express
• express itself/themselves
• express oneself
• express lane
• express train

Kids Definition

express

1 of 4 adjective

ex·​press ik-ˈspres 

1

: explicit

my express orders

express written consent

2

: of a particular sort : specific

came for that express purpose

3

: sent or traveling at high speed

express mail

especially : making few or no stops

an express train

express

2 of 4 adverb

: by express

send a package express

express

3 of 4 noun

1

a

: a system for the special transportation of goods

b

: a company operating such a service

c

: the goods or shipments so transported

2

: an express vehicle (as an elevator or train)

express

4 of 4 verb

1

a

: to represent or give expression to especially in words : state

b

: to make one's opinions, feelings, or abilities known

c

: to represent especially by a mathematical sign or symbol : symbolize

2

: to press or squeeze out

3

: to send by express

expresser noun

expressible

-ə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

express

transitive verb

ex·​press ik-ˈspres, ek- 

1

: to make known or exhibit by an expression

2

a

: 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

Legal Definition

express

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​press

: directly and distinctly stated or expressed rather than implied or left to inference compare implied

express

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to make known (one's thoughts, ideas, or opinions) by words, conduct, or symbols see also expression