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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

More:Daughter resists driving mom to church More:Job shopper asks for frequent references While Timothy might believe that this is a generous statement, it is expressed with the same personal connection a person might have toward scheduling their next dental appointment. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024

López Obrador expressed approval of the mediation in Guerrero. —Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

During a city commission conference Tuesday afternoon, commissioners expressed concerns about arresting people who are homeless, an approach that could lead to overcrowding at the jails. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

In the release, Boebert expressed her gratitude to the medical staff at the center. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024

On social media, detractors expressed their anger at the musician’s inclusion. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

Beshear, Greenberg and Fleming all expressed gratitude for the collaboration efforts between state government, local government and businesses. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024

The three-time PGA Tour winner expressed how much the combination of injuries and external factors weighed heavily on him during that time. —Ben Morse, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Elementary school students are often punished for conduct that experts say is developmentally typical of children who are still learning how to behave and appropriately express themselves in school. —Ariel Gilreath, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

Adjective

As of Tuesday morning, customers have little more than three days to make their purchase and take advantage of the company's express shipping across the country. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Some consumers covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans are being switched from one plan to another without their express permission, potentially leaving them unable to see their doctors or fill prescriptions. —Julie Appleby, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024

That includes nearly $1.8 million to sketch out a new Purple Line rail service between employment centers north of Interstate 8 and communities to the south and $1.9 million for express trolley service on the Blue Line and upgrades to the San Ysidro Transit Center. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

Without express stops, which require students to be dropped off at particular locations, the district would have been short by over 200 drivers at the start of the school year. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court alleges the Biden administration is overstepping its authority in proposing rules to wipe out debt for some Americans without express permission from Congress. —Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024

The train drives on without pause along an express track with extended gaps between stations. —Michael Wilson, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024

Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024

It's rumored that British tabloids don't usually publish paparazzi photos of the royals without express permission, so some suspected that this image was fed to the outlet by royal staff and that it, too, had been doctored. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024

Noun

Almost 30 percent of professionals working in AI express that regulation might stifle innovation, compared with about 19 percent of their non-AI counterparts. —Carlos Ignacio Gutierrez, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024

The storm will start out very warm – fueled by moisture from near Hawaii that earns it the moniker of a pineapple express – and unload mainly rain in all but the absolute highest elevations in Northern California Wednesday. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024

Voters across the spectrum express concern about America’s oldest president, who would be 86 at the end of a second term. —Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024

Part of the change-over was consolidating seven railway express companies into a single entity, the American Railway Express Agency (AREA), which began operation in July 1918. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024

Coinciding with the ascension of the Rangers, the cracks in Houston’s armor could spell an end to their supremacy over the division and their annual express pass to the ALCS. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024

Well, fasten your seatbelts because the longevity express is here to change that. —Jennifer Stojkovic, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2024

The claustrophobia is palpable and perfectly executed as hot mess express Andri watches his investigation and his personal relationships unravel. —David Faris, theweek, 14 Jan. 2024

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

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

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

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