expression
noun
ex·pres·sion
ik-ˈspre-shən 
1
a
: an act, process, or instance of representing in a medium (such as words) : utterance
freedom of expression
b(1)
: something that manifests, embodies, or symbolizes something else
this gift is an expression of my admiration for you
(2)
: a significant word or phrase
(3)
: a mathematical or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols
(4)
: the detectable effect of a gene
also
: expressivity sense 1
2
a
: a mode, means, or use of significant representation or symbolism
especially
: felicitous or vivid indication or depiction of mood or sentiment
read the poem with expression
b(1)
: the quality or fact of being expressive
(2)
: facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3
: an act or product of pressing out
Examples of expression in a Sentence
Dance is a form of artistic expression.
He uses some very odd expressions.
The expression “to make fun of” means “to ridicule.”
Judging from her expression, I think the gift was a complete surprise.
We saw his expression change from angry to sad.
She wore a smug expression.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nuno’s sombre facial expression did little to mask his dread over the club’s plight.
—
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Quasi-forensic in its precision, the work is based on thousands of satellite images—an expression of anxiety about Black history’s precarity.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Visceral and tactile, the piece quietly establishes a visual language out of small seemingly insignificant moments that through subtle transformation become impactful expressions of grief and loss.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Walston looked at the young upstart actor with a fiery expression.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expression
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show current usage.
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Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Quasi-forensic in its precision, the work is based on thousands of satellite images—an expression of anxiety about Black history’s precarity.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Visceral and tactile, the piece quietly establishes a visual language out of small seemingly insignificant moments that through subtle transformation become impactful expressions of grief and loss.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Walston looked at the young upstart actor with a fiery expression.
—Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expression
Cite this Entry
“Expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expression. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expression
noun
ex·pres·sion
ik-ˈspresh-ən
1
: the act or process of expressing especially in words
2
a
: a meaningful word or phrase
b
: a mathematical or logical symbol or a combination of symbols and signs representing a quantity or operation
3
: a way of speaking or singing or of playing an instrument so as to show mood or feeling
sing with expression
4
: the way one's face looks or one's voice sounds that shows one's feelings
a pleased expression
5
: the detectable effect of a gene
expressionless
adjective
-ləs
expressionlessly
adverb
expressionlessness
noun
Medical Definition
expression
noun
ex·pres·sion
ik-ˈspresh-ən
1
a
: something that manifests, represents, reflects, embodies, or symbolizes something else
the first clinical expression of a disease
b(1)
: the detectable effect of a gene
also
: the sum of the processes (as transcription and translation) by which a gene is manifested in the phenotype
gene expression can be controlled by regulatory proteins that bind to specific sites on DNA —Mark Ptashne
Mark Ptashne
(2)
2
: facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3
: an act or product of pressing out
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