express

[ ik-spres ]

/ ɪkˈsprɛs /

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verb (used with object)

to put (thought) into words; utter or state: to express an idea clearly.

to show, manifest, or reveal: to express one's anger.

to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself), as in speaking, writing, or painting: He can express himself eloquently.

to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula: to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.

to send by express: to express a package or merchandise.

to press or squeeze out: to express the juice of grapes.

to exude or emit (a liquid, odor, etc.), as if under pressure: The roses expressed a sweet perfume.

Genetics. (of a gene) to be active in the production of (a protein or a phenotype).

adjective

clearly indicated; distinctly stated; definite; explicit; plain: He defied my express command.

special; definite: We have an express purpose in being here.

direct or fast, especially making few or no intermediate stops: an express train; an express elevator.

used for direct or high-speed travel: an express highway.

duly or exactly formed or represented: an express image.

pertaining to an express: an express agency.

noun

an express train, bus, elevator, etc.

a system or method of sending freight, parcels, money, etc., that is faster and safer, but more expensive, than ordinary freight service: We agree to send the package by express.

a company engaged in this business.

British. a messenger or a message specially sent.

something sent by express.

adverb

by express: to travel express.

Obsolete. expressly.

Nearby words

exposure index, exposure keratitis, exposure meter, exposé, expound, express, express delivery, express lane, express mail, express oneself, express rifle

Origin of express

1275–1325; Middle English expressen < Latin expressus (past participle of exprimere). See ex-¹, press¹

SYNONYMS FOR express

1 declare, word, formulate.

2 indicate.

4 designate, signify, denote.

9 obvious, unambiguous.

10 particular, singular.

11 swift, rapid, nonstop.

13 accurate, precise.

16 courier.

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ANTONYMS FOR express

2 conceal.

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Related forms

ex·press·er, ex·pres·sor, nounex·press·i·ble, adjectiveex·press·less, adjectiveo·ver·ex·press, verb (used with object)

pre·ex·press, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·pressed, adjectivere·ex·press, verb (used with object)su·per·ex·press, nounun·ex·press·i·ble, adjectivewell-ex·pressed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for expresses

When he expresses concern over her bruised and disheveled appearance, she lies and tells him that she fainted.
How Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt Navigated Anna's Controversial Rape Arc|Kevin Fallon|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also, he gave a lame excuse: ‘I couldn't find a pic that expresses both sides.’
Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire Posts Pro-Palestine Photo, Allegedly Cyberbullies Israeli-Born MTV VJ|Robert Silverman|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in reality, the sentiment it expresses is deeply serious.
How One Doctor Mastered the Art of Delivering Life-Changing Diagnoses|Russell Saunders|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is a film of their first American press conference that expresses this perfectly.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers|Nik Cohn|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Percy expresses her own disbelief not by direct pronouncements but with ironic juxtapositions.
Possessed by PTSD, A Veteran Uses Exorcisms to Cast Out His Demons|Brian Van Reet|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Or, as he expresses it, ‘our belief of the continuance of the laws of nature.’
History of Civilization in England, Vol. 3 of 3|Henry Thomas Buckle
The sort of laugh which expresses uncertainty of perception and conditional approval went up.
The Daughter of the Storage|William Dean Howells
Can anyone, in view of these facts, feel surprised that "a plague on both your Houses" expresses the feelings of the Irish people.
Ireland and the Home Rule Movement|Michael F. J. McDonnell
Whereby they discoursed in silence, and were intuitively understood from the theory of their Expresses.
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne (Volume 2 of 3)|Thomas Browne
Abeken expresses no opinion concerning its morality, nor does Morabin.
The Life of Cicero|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for expresses

express

/ (ɪkˈsprɛs) /

verb (tr)

to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize

to show or reveal; indicatetears express grief

to communicate (emotion, etc) without words, as through music, painting, etc

to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc

to force or squeeze outto express the juice from an orange

to send by rapid transport or special messenger

express oneself to communicate one's thoughts or ideas

adjective (prenominal)

clearly indicated or shown; explicitly statedan express wish

done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particularan express purpose

of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etcexpress delivery; an express depot

noun

a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly
merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system
mainly US and Canadian an enterprise operating such a system

Also called: express train a fast train stopping at none or only a few of the intermediate stations between its two termini

See express rifle

adverb

by means of a special delivery or express deliveryit went express

Derived Forms

expresser, nounexpressible, adjective

Word Origin for express

C14: from Latin expressus, literally: squeezed out, hence, prominent, from exprimere to force out, from ex- 1 + premere to press

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 expresses

express

[ ĭk-sprĕs′ ]

v.

To press or squeeze out.

To produce a phenotype. Used of a gene.