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
expressional
ik-ˈspresh-nəl
adjective -ˈspre-shə-nᵊl
Synonyms
- articulation
- formulation
- phrasing
- statement
- utterance
- verbalism
- voice
- wording
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The innocence of this manner of expression implies that politicians bear no responsibility for the results. —
WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 From canonical modern artists like Paul Matisse to midcentury pranksters like Guy Debord and Asger Jorn, plenty of artists have turned to the book as a means of expression. —Douglas Markowitz, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023 But the League of Women Voters of Arizona won an emergency order from Liburdi, who said their argument offered the opportunity for a limited set of restrictions that balanced the right to vote safely with freedom of expression. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 Hill and Turkel share common ground on protecting religious liberties and freedom of expression. —Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2023 That horrific ordeal inspired a momentary surge of noble declarations about the sanctity of freedom of expression. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023 These feature video stories that live on the platform, sharing Iranian creatives’ views on freedom of expression. —Lily Moayeri, Variety, 30 Jan. 2023 These human rights violations, along with income inequality and lack of freedom of expression has brought the Iranian public to their boiling point time and time again. —Neena Rouhani, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2023 Nivedya’s detention came on the eve of Republic Day, a national holiday marking the anniversary of India officially adopting its Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. —Yashraj Sharma, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2023 See More
WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 From canonical modern artists like Paul Matisse to midcentury pranksters like Guy Debord and Asger Jorn, plenty of artists have turned to the book as a means of expression. —Douglas Markowitz, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023 But the League of Women Voters of Arizona won an emergency order from Liburdi, who said their argument offered the opportunity for a limited set of restrictions that balanced the right to vote safely with freedom of expression. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 Hill and Turkel share common ground on protecting religious liberties and freedom of expression. —Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2023 That horrific ordeal inspired a momentary surge of noble declarations about the sanctity of freedom of expression. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023 These feature video stories that live on the platform, sharing Iranian creatives’ views on freedom of expression. —Lily Moayeri, Variety, 30 Jan. 2023 These human rights violations, along with income inequality and lack of freedom of expression has brought the Iranian public to their boiling point time and time again. —Neena Rouhani, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2023 Nivedya’s detention came on the eve of Republic Day, a national holiday marking the anniversary of India officially adopting its Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. —Yashraj Sharma, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing expression
Kids 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)
: expressivity
2
: facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3
: an act or product of pressing out
Legal Definition
expression
noun ex·pres·sion
1
: an act, process, or instance of representing or conveying in words or some other medium : speech
protected expression under the First Amendment
2
: a mode or means of expressing an idea, opinion, or thought
Note: An expression is protectible under copyright law, but an idea is not.
expression
noun
1
as in voice
an act, process, or means of putting something into words the poem is his expression of his grief upon the loss of his beloved wife Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- voice
- formulation
- utterance
- wording
- articulation
- phrasing
- statement
- reflection
- observation
- verbalism
- remark
- speech
- vent
- outlet
- thought
- tongue
2
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling we could tell by the fans' expressions that the Chicago Cubs had lost again Synonyms & Similar Words
- look
- face
- smile
- countenance
- grin
- visage
- scowl
- grimace
- frown
- pout
- presence
- demeanor
- mouth
- cast
- appearance
- lower
- manner
- mien
- aspect
- bearing
- air
- lour
3
as in term
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field the expression "John Doe" is used in legal proceedings to refer to a person whose actual name is either unknown or being withheld from the public Synonyms & Similar Words
- term
- word
- phrase
- monosyllable
- idiom
- speech form
- linguistic form
- locution
- collocation
- morpheme
- colloquialism
- euphemism
- coinage
- modernism
- polysyllable
- archaism
- neologism
- loanword
- vernacularism
4
as in phrase
a sequence of words having a specific meaning the popular expression "raining cats and dogs" is meaningless in other languages Synonyms & Similar Words
- phrase
- idiom
- term
- slogan
- figure of speech
- motto
- epithet
- locution
- cliche
- expletive
- colloquialism
- cliché
- name
- vulgarism
- euphemism
- modernism
- archaism
- neologism
- shibboleth
- cry
- byword
- provincialism
- watchword
- qual
- quale
- qualia
- qualifiable
- qualification
- qualifications
- qualificative
- qualificator
- qualificators
- qualificatory
- qualified
- qualified fee
- qualified immunity
- qualified property
- qualifiedly
- qualifiedness
- qualifier
- qualifiers
- qualifies
- qualify
- qualifying
- qualifying game
- qualifying heat
- qualifying round
- qualifyings