expression

[ ik-spresh-uhn ]

noun

1. the act of expressing or setting forth in words:

   the free expression of political opinions.

   Synonyms: statement, assertion, declaration, utterance

2. a particular word, phrase, or form of words:

   old-fashioned expressions.

   Synonyms: idiom, term

3. the manner or form in which a thing is expressed in words; wording; phrasing:

   delicacy of expression.

   Synonyms: phraseology, diction, language

4. the power of expressing in words:

   joy beyond expression.

5. indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., as on the face, in the voice, or in artistic execution:

   the lyric expression embodied in his poetry.

   Synonyms: sign, manifestation

6. a look or intonation expressing personal reaction, feeling, etc.:

   a shocked expression.

   Synonyms: air, aspect

7. the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc.:

   a face that lacks expression; to read with expression.

8. the act of expressing or representing, as by symbols.
9. Mathematics. a symbol or a combination of symbols representing a value, relation, or the like.
10. Linguistics. the stylistic characteristics of an utterance ( meaning ).
11. Linguistics. the system of verbal utterances specific to a language ( content ¹ ).
12. the act of expressing or pressing out.
13. Computers. a combination of variables, constants, and functions linked by operation symbols and any required punctuation that describe a rule for calculating a value.
14. Genetics.
    1. the action of a gene in the production of a protein or a phenotype.
    2. expressivity ( def 2 ).

expression

/ ɪkˈsprɛʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of transforming ideas into words
2. a manifestation of an emotion, feeling, etc, without words

   tears are an expression of grief

3. communication of emotion through music, painting, etc
4. a look on the face that indicates mood or emotion

   a joyful expression

5. the choice of words, phrases, syntax, intonation, etc, in communicating
6. a particular phrase used conventionally to express something

   a dialect expression

7. the act or process of forcing or squeezing out a liquid
8. maths a variable, function, or some combination of constants, variables, or functions
9. genetics the effect of a particular gene on the phenotype

Derived Forms

• exˈpressional, adjective
• exˈpressionlessly, adverb
• exˈpressionless, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·pression·al adjective
• ex·pression·less adjective
• ex·pression·less·ly adverb
• preex·pression noun
• reex·pression noun
• super·ex·pression noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expression¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expressiōn- (stem of expressiō ) “a pressing out.” See express, -ion

Synonym Study

See phrase.

Example Sentences

The researchers are investigating, among other things, how hormone treatment affects skeletal muscle gene expression and the mechanisms behind changes in adipose tissue.

From Science Daily

To develop a treatment for PVR, the researchers targeted a protein called RUNX1 that regulates the expression of a gene that turns eye cells into scar tissue.

From Science Daily

"Jagged Little Pill" is exemplary of the psychological landscaping Berlant is interested in as a cultural expression operating at the intersection of emotion, gender and power in public life.

From Salon

Seven of the eight papers have been retracted; his total tally of retractions is up to 25, and 223 IHU papers he co-authored have received expressions of concern.

From Science Magazine

On the surface, “Queer” seems to be miles away from the shiny, sporty thrills of “Challengers,” but in execution, both are pure expressions of cinematic sensuality and the subconscious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• definition
• explanation
• interpretation
• language
• phrase
• remark
• speech
• statement
• style
• term
• voice
• word