expire
Americanverb (used without object)
-
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)
-
to breathe out; emit (air) from the lungs.
-
Archaic. to give off, emit, or eject.
verb
-
(intr) to finish or run out; cease; come to an end
-
to breathe out (air); exhale
-
(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
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.
The current tender is due to expire in two days' time, on 1 March.
From BBC
The sport’s collective bargaining agreement expires after this season, and the entire industry is bracing for missed games for the first time in more than three decades.
The rare earth producer’s operating license is due to expire Monday and a renewal has not yet been received.
The website said the tax for the vehicle had been due since 1 November 2025 and the MOT certificate had expired on 29 January 2026.
From BBC
Once a provision to prevent insider sales expired in August, Magnetar began slowly but steadily selling shares to reduce its concentration risk.
From Barron's
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.
