expire

[ik-spahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

expired, expiring 

1. to come to an end; terminate, as a contract, guarantee, or offer.

2. to emit the last breath; die.

3. to breathe out.

4. to die out, as a fire.

verb (used with object)

expired, expiring 

1. to breathe out; emit (air) from the lungs.

2. Archaic.,  to give off, emit, or eject.

expire

/ ɪkˈspaɪə /

verb

1. (intr) to finish or run out; cease; come to an end

2. to breathe out (air); exhale

3. (intr) to die

Other Word Forms

• expirer noun
• expiringly adverb
• nonexpiring adjective
• unexpired adjective
• unexpiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expire¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ex ( s ) pīrāre to breathe out, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + spīrāre to breathe

Word History and Origins

Origin of expire¹

C15: from Old French expirer, from Latin exspīrāre to breathe out, from spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

Democrats want to ensure health insurance subsidies for those with low-income do not expire and aim to reverse cuts to the Medicaid health programme.

From BBC

But while some of that state funding is meant to be sustained — schools will soon charge the Medi-Cal program for health services — other state grants, particularly from the pandemic era, were designed to expire.

From Los Angeles Times

A Met Office yellow weather alert covering all of Scotland expired at midnight, however a smaller warning area for high winds in the north east remains until midday.

From BBC

A yellow wind warning issued by the Met Office expired at 23:59 BST on Saturday.

From BBC

That same month, Noem decided to reverse the extension, which was set to expire for both groups of Venezuelans in October 2026.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cease 
• close 
• conclude 
• depart 
• die 
• finish 
• lapse 
• pass 
• pass away 
• quit 
• run out 
• terminate