expire

Pronunciation key ( ik-spīr′ )

ex•pire

v.t. [EXPIRED (-spīrd′), EXPIRING]

[ME. expiren < Fr. expirer; L. expirare, exspirare; ex-, out + spirare to breathe].

1. To exhale, breathe out; as, air is expired from the lungs.
2. Obs. to give off (an odor, etc).

v.i.

1. To breathe out air from the lungs.
2. To breathe one's last breath; to die.
3. To come to an end; terminate; stop; cease; as "His contract has expired."

Syn. see die

References

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition ©1985

Further Reading

expiration

expiratory

expiry