press gang
or pressgang
a body of persons under the command of an officer, formerly employed to impress others for service, especially in the navy or army.
Origin of press gang
1Words Nearby press gang
Other definitions for press-gang (2 of 2)
to force (a person) into military or naval service.
to coerce (a person) into taking a certain action, political stand, etc.: to be press-ganged into endorsing a candidate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use press gang in a sentence
In this particular fight several men were killed and wounded, and the press-gang thought it best to let the Eliza alone.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes | VariousNone foresaw that the day would come when a British press gang would seize free citizens in this same harbor.
A short history of Rhode Island | George Washington GreeneMoritz of Dessau had a terrible Winter of it, organizing and breaking in these Saxon people,—got by press-gang in this way.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XVII. (of XXI.) | Thomas CarlyleSennit was then on his way to Barbadoes, however, nor do I believe your master of a press-gang ever does much before an enemy.
Miles Wallingford | James Fenimore CooperIn the time of the press-gang a crowd was seen approaching some cottages.
Ulster Folklore | Elizabeth Andrews
British Dictionary definitions for press gang
(formerly) a detachment of men used to press civilians for service in the navy or army
to force (a person) to join the navy or army by a press gang
to induce (a person) to perform a duty by forceful persuasion: his friends press-ganged him into joining the committee
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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