expire

[ ik-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

1. to come to an end; terminate, as a contract, guarantee, or offer.
2. to emit the last breath; die.
3. to breathe out.
4. to die out, as a fire.

verb (used with object)

, ex·pired, ex·pir·ing.

1. to breathe out; emit (air) from the lungs.
2. Archaic. to give off, emit, or eject.

expire

/ ɪkˈspaɪə /

verb

1. intr to finish or run out; cease; come to an end
2. to breathe out (air); exhale
3. intr to die

Derived Forms

• exˈpirer, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pirer noun
• ex·piring·ly adverb
• nonex·piring adjective
• unex·pired adjective
• unex·piring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expire¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of expire¹

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

Example Sentences

Unlike Haaland, Mohamed Salah is bang in form - despite all the uncertainty over his future with his contract expiring next summer.

From BBC

The organization found that on top of urgent messaging, some sellers on the online marketplace Etsy are using fake countdown timers on deals that don’t expire.

From Los Angeles Times

His contract expires in 18 months, hence his lower value.

From BBC

Salah, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, told reporters he was "disappointed" at not being offered a new deal and is "probably more out than in".

From BBC

The company will also stop funding the Center for Racial Equity, a nonprofit initiative that Walmart has backed with $100 million, when the agreement expires next year.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cease
• close
• conclude
• depart
• die
• finish
• lapse
• pass
• pass away
• quit
• run out
• terminate