Express's topless spread (5)
I believe the answer is:
utter
'express's' is the definition.
('utter' can be a synonym of 'express')
'topless spread' is the wordplay.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'spread' becomes 'butter' (I've seen this before).
'butter' with its first letter taken off is 'UTTER'.
(Other definitions for utter that I've seen before include "Pure" , "Perfect" , "To say, articulate" , "Speak; completely" , "Say; total" .)