expression Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the feelings expressed on a person's face
    facial expression; look; aspect; face.
    • a sad expression
    • a look of triumph
    • an angry face
  2. noun expression without words
    reflexion; reflection; manifestation.
    • tears are an expression of grief
    • the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition
  3. noun the communication (in speech or writing) of your beliefs or opinions
    verbal expression; verbalism.
    • expressions of good will
    • he helped me find verbal expression for my ideas
    • the idea was immediate but the verbalism took hours
  4. noun a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
    saying; locution.
    • pardon the expression
  5. noun the style of expressing yourself
    formulation.
    • he suggested a better formulation
    • his manner of expression showed how much he cared
  6. noun a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement
    formula.
  7. noun (genetics) the process of expressing a gene
  8. noun a group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit
    construction; grammatical construction.
    • I concluded from his awkward constructions that he was a foreigner
  9. noun the act of forcing something out by squeezing or pressing
    • the expression of milk from her breast

WordNet

Ex*pres"sion noun
Etymology
L. expressio. cf. F. expression.
Definitions
  1. The act of expressing; the act of forcing out by pressure; as, the expression of juices or oils; also, of extorting or eliciting; as, a forcible expression of truth.
  2. The act of declaring or signifying; declaration; utterance; as, an expression of the public will.
    With this tone of philosophy were mingled expressions of sympathy. Prescott.
  3. Lively or vivid representation of meaning, sentiment, or feeling, etc.; significant and impressive indication, whether by language, appearance, or gesture; that manner or style which gives life and suggestive force to ideas and sentiments; as, he reads with expression; her performance on the piano has expression.
    The imitators of Shakespeare, fixing their attention on his wonderful power of expression, have directed their imitation to this. M. Arnold.
  4. That which is expressed by a countenance, a posture, a work of art, etc.; look, as indicative of thought or feeling. "The expression of an eye." Tennyson.
    It still wore the majesty of expression so conspicuous in his portraits by the inimitable pencil of Titian. Prescott.
  5. A form of words in which an idea or sentiment is conveyed; a mode of speech; a phrase; as, a common expression; an odd expression.
  6. (Math.) The representation of any quantity by its appropriate characters or signs. Milton.

Webster 1913