bench press

¹ American  

noun

1. a weightlifting exercise in which one lies supine on a bench and with both hands pushes a barbell or fixed weight upward from chest level to arm's length and then lowers it back to chest level: usually repeated in sets.

2. one complete repetition of this exercise.

3. this exercise as an event in weightlifting competition.

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bench-press ² American  

[bench-pres] / ˈbɛntʃˌprɛs /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to perform a bench press with (a weight).

   He is small but can bench-press more than 400 pounds.

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bench press British  

noun

1. a weight-training exercise in which a person lies on a bench and pushes a barbell upwards with both hands from chest level until the arms are straight, then lowers it again

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verb

1. (intr) to carry out one or more bench presses

Etymology

Origin of bench press

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

At night, she returned to the bench press for a final round.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

His peak sprint speed, external and bench press results, external are up on what he was clocking before the injury.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024

Powerlifting consists of three different lifts - a squat, deadlift and a bench press.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

He can bench press 450 pounds, power clean 350 and squat 675 — nearly a quarter the weight of a Honda Civic.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2023

My brother had a bench press in his bedroom that took up half the floor.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi