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• bench press
  bench press

  noun

  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.
• bench-press
  bench-press

  verb (used with or without object)

  to perform a bench press with (a weight).

bench press

¹ American  

noun

• bench presses
  plural

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bench presses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bench press

First recorded in 1975–80

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bench press bench-press

They also increased their leg press and bench press strength.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026

And in the weight room, Smith takes a break from squats and bench press to pump iron—with his fingers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

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

It came as no surprise that he held the Permian record for the bench press with 345 pounds.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Plus: Luke Winkie casts a critical eye to RFK Jr.’s shirtless bench-press and pushup videos.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2023

At 6-5 and 275 pounds, Murphy reportedly has a 40-yard time in the 4.57-second range, and he can bench-press 400-plus pounds.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 19, 2023

In a typical program, players hear plenty of statistics, including body-fat ratios, 40-yard dash times and bench-press reps at 225 pounds.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 28, 2022

Watt continues to bench-press offensive linemen whenever he pleases.

From New York Times ● Dec. 5, 2021

“That’s like asking why you don’t bench-press your maximum weight every time you lift. Because it’s hard, and you’d hurt yourself. Turning into a dragon isn’t easy.”

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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