expire
Americanverb (used without object)
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to come to an end; terminate, as a contract, guarantee, or offer.
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to emit the last breath; die.
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to breathe out.
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to die out, as a fire.
verb (used with object)
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to breathe out; emit (air) from the lungs.
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Archaic. to give off, emit, or eject.
verb
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(intr) to finish or run out; cease; come to an end
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to breathe out (air); exhale
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(intr) to die
Other Word Forms
- expirer noun
- expiringly adverb
- nonexpiring adjective
- unexpired adjective
- unexpiring adjective
Etymology
Origin of expire
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ex ( s ) pīrāre to breathe out, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + spīrāre to breathe
Explanation
If something — like milk or a free shipping coupon — expires, it is no longer usable or valid. When you expire, you will be dead. The verb expire comes from the Latin expirare, meaning “breathe out,” and the modern use retains that ancient meaning. The expanded, and more commonly used, meaning of expire is that the breath has — literally or figuratively — departed. When you expire your breath, you breathe out; you exhale. Things with a limited shelf life sometimes offer an expiration date that lets you know when they will expire: yogurt, frozen burritos, and even contracts for temporary employment. But some things expire in their own time: life, love, and car batteries.
Vocabulary lists containing expire
"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs
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Vocabulary from texts about wild animals
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for January 1–January 7, 2022
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just as Polymarket’s betting contract was set to expire, ISW’s map erroneously showed Myrnohrad to be under Russian control, even though Russia hadn’t actually captured the town.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
In 1985, the Los Angeles Philharmonic let his contract as principal guest conductor and artistic director of the summer training institute expire for less-than-diplomatic relations with management.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Iraola, 43, announced last week that he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, while Silva's contract at rivals Fulham is due to expire in July.
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026
President Donald Trump extended the two-week cease-fire that had been due to expire Wednesday, but there’s still uncertainty whether talks will proceed.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026
I think I might expire from happiness or something, because if it is him, my shiny, future self might be materializing before my eyes.
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
