espresso

noun

espres·​so e-ˈspre-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce espresso (audio)
variants or less commonly expresso
plural espressos also expressos
1
: coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground usually darkly roasted coffee beans
2
: a cup of espresso

Examples of espresso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The shop sells espresso drinks and drip coffee made with beans from Liberty’s Hammerhand Coffee, as well as baked goods from wholesale bakery Scratch KC. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 The fresh nutmeg was grated atop the final craft cocktail pairing, a take on an espresso martini. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Cocktails range between $9 and $13 and include a variety of mules, an espresso martini and signature cocktails like Bad to the Bone, made with Casamigos reposado, agave nectar and aromatic bitters. The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 For example, the Frenchy 75 (a twist on the classic French 75) transforms the traditional gin, Champagne and lemon drink by adding red hibiscus syrup, while the Frou-Frou is an espresso Martini with a tasty pistachio flavour. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 And from 5 to 7 p.m., The Smoking Gun in the Gaslamp Quarter will serve a peanut butter old fashioned cocktail with Do-Si-Dos and a peppermint bark espresso martini with Thin Mints. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Dunkin' Donuts will replace the Starbucks locations in Concourse A and B. The two new locations will supply the chain's standard offerings of coffee, espresso drinks, tea, frozen beverages, sandwiches and baked goods. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 There was a broad acceptance that the consumer craze for espresso martinis had peaked. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The drink combines Dongpo Braised Pork Flavor Sauce with espresso and steamed milk, with extra pork sauce and pork breast meat for garnish, according to the Starbucks delivery app. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'espresso.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian (caffè) espresso, probably literally, coffee made on the spot at the customer's request

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of espresso was in 1930

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near espresso

Cite this Entry

“Espresso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espresso. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

espresso

noun
espres·​so e-ˈspres-ō How to pronounce espresso (audio)
variants also expresso
plural espressos
: coffee brewed by forcing steam or hot water through finely ground darkly roasted coffee beans

More from Merriam-Webster on espresso

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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