expire

[ ik-spahyuh r ]

/ ɪkˈspaɪər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expire ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

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

to emit the last breath; die.

to breathe out.

to die out, as a fire.

verb (used with object), ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

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

Archaic. to give off, emit, or eject.

Nearby words

expiration, expiration date, expiratory, expiratory reserve volume, expiratory stridor, expire, expired gas, expiry, expiscate, explain, explain away

Origin of expire

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

Related forms

ex·pir·er, nounex·pir·ing·ly, adverbnon·ex·pir·ing, adjectiveun·ex·pired, adjective

un·ex·pir·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expire

Higher courts, including the Supreme Court had refused to intercede, and the stay was to expire tonight.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The temporary reduction of Social Security payroll taxes was allowed to expire in early 2013.
The Battle of the Deficit Bulge Has Been Won|Daniel Gross|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those negotiations are set to expire at the end of November.
Iran Orders Elite Troops: Lay Off U.S. Forces in Iraq|Eli Lake|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Advocates stress that vets would suffer if the program were to expire in September.
Dysfunctional Congress Prepares to Claim Another Victim: Injured Veterans|Tim Mak|July 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Patents, may I remind you, expire after 20 years, but copyrights to recordings can be enforced for a century or more.
Apple Wants Beats So It Can Control You|Ted Gioia|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this condition he may perhaps live twelve hours, without any sensible pulse or heat, and then expire.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II)|Charles Creighton
Everywhere our troops in the field, whose terms of three years will expire this spring, are re-enlisting for the war.
A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital|John Beauchamp Jones
The copyrights of Milton's great works would, according to my noble friend's plan, expire in 1699.
The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, Vol. 4 (of 4)|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The colonel did not expire immediately, but was carried back into the station, while preparations were made for defence.
Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851|Various
They would languish from this day, and might expire even in their cradle.
First History of New Brunswick|Peter Fisher

British Dictionary definitions for expire

expire

/ (ɪkˈspaɪə) /

verb

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

to breathe out (air); exhale

(intr) to die

Derived Forms

expirer, noun

Word Origin for expire

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for expire

expire

[ ĭk-spīr′ ]

v.

To breathe one's last breath; die.

To exhale.

expire

verb (used without object), ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

verb (used with object), ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of expire

Related forms

Examples from the Web for expire

British Dictionary definitions for expire

expire

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for expire

Medicine definitions for expire

expire

v.