First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
expire
verb ex·pire \ik-ˈspī(-ə)r, oftenest for vi 3 and vt 2 ek-\
: to end : to no longer be valid after a period of time
: to die
medical : to breathe out (air)
ex·piredex·pir·ing
Full Definition of EXPIRE
intransitive verb
1
: to breathe one's last breath : die
2
: to come to an end
3
: to emit the breath
transitive verb
1
obsolete : conclude
2
: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs
3
archaic : emit
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Origin of EXPIRE
Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Anglo-French espirer to breathe out, from Latin exspirare, from ex- + spirare to breathe
Related to EXPIRE
Rhymes with EXPIRE
EXPIRED Defined for Kids
expire
verb ex·pire \ik-ˈspīr\
ex·piredex·pir·ing
Definition of EXPIRE for Kids
1
: to come to an end <Your membership expired.>
2
: 1die 1
3
: to breathe out : exhale
Medical Dictionary
expire
verb ex·pire \ik-ˈspī(ə)r, usually for intransitive verb 2 and transitive verb ek-\
ex·piredex·pir·ing
Medical Definition of EXPIRE
intransitive verb
1
: to breathe one's last breath : die
2
: to emit the breath
transitive verb
: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs <the basal metabolism test…measures the amount of carbon dioxide expired by the lungs—J. D. Ratcliff>
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