expire

[ik-spahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

expired, expiring 

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)

expired, expiring 

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

Other Word Forms

• expirer noun
• expiringly adverb
• nonexpiring adjective
• unexpired adjective
• unexpiring 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

The previous contracts for both men had expired in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Oscar Nuñez and I are sitting in the outdoor area of a coffee shop in Larchmont Village, when a parking enforcement officer asks if a car whose meter has expired might belong to us.

From Los Angeles Times

The Ravens went three and out on the next possession, and the Bills drove 66 yards in nine plays to set up a 32-yard, game-winning field goal by Matt Prater as time expired.

From Los Angeles Times

Allen engineered 16 points in four minutes, capped by a 32-yard field goal as time expired by 41-year-old kicker Matt Prater, who only signed for the Bills on Thursday.

From BBC

The man said he believed nearly all the workers had some legal right to be in the US, but were on the wrong type of visas or their right to work had expired.

From BBC

Related Words

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