expire

verb

ik-SPYR/ɪkˈspaɪə(ɹ)/UKik-SPY-uh/ɪkˈspaɪə(ɹ)/

6 meanings of expire

1
verbintransitive
To stop being valid after a set date or time.
Like a bus ticket that stops working once the day is over.
My passport will expire next month, so I need to renew it.
The coupons expired before I could use them.
Similarlapse, end, terminate, cease
2
verbintransitive
To come to an end and finish.
Like a song that finally reaches its last note.
His term as chairman will expire at the end of the year.
The deadline expired before they submitted the report.
Similarend, finish, conclude, close, terminate
Oppositebegin, start (entry), commence
Note
3
verbintransitive
To die, or come to the end of life.
The old man expired peacefully in his sleep.
Many patients expire despite the doctors' best efforts.
Similardie, perish, pass, decease, succumb
Oppositelive, survive
Note
4
verbtransitive or intransitive
To breathe air out of the lungs.
Like letting air slowly out of a balloon.
Breathe in slowly, then expire through your mouth.
She expired a long breath and relaxed.
Similarexhale
Oppositeinspire
Note
5
verbtransitive
To officially bring something to an end.
The new rules will expire the old permits next year.
The system automatically expired the unused passwords.
Similarterminate, end, cancel, deactivate
Oppositerenew, activate
Note
6
verbtransitive
To slowly give off a vapor or smell.
Like a flower slowly giving off its sweet smell.
Damp soils expire a faint mist when the morning sun warms them.
The old lamp expired a thin trail of smoke.
Similaremit, exhale, release, discharge
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin words meaning "out" and "breathe," so "breathe out." It came into English through French.