press gang

or pressgang


noun
  1. 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

1
First recorded in 1685–95

Words Nearby press gang

Other definitions for press-gang (2 of 2)

press-gang
[ pres-gang ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to force (a person) into military or naval service.

  2. 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.

  • None 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 Greene
  • Moritz of Dessau had a terrible Winter of it, organizing and breaking in these Saxon people,—got by press-gang in this way.

  • Sennit 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 Cooper
  • In the time of the press-gang a crowd was seen approaching some cottages.

    Ulster Folklore | Elizabeth Andrews

British Dictionary definitions for press gang

press gang

noun
  1. (formerly) a detachment of men used to press civilians for service in the navy or army

verbpress-gang (tr)
  1. to force (a person) to join the navy or army by a press gang

  2. 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