press

[ pres ]

/ prɛs /

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See synonyms for press on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to act upon with steadily applied weight or force.

to move by weight or force in a certain direction or into a certain position: The crowd pressed him into a corner.

to compress or squeeze, as to alter in shape or size: He pressed the clay into a ball.

to weigh heavily upon; subject to pressure.

to hold closely, as in an embrace; clasp: He pressed her in his arms.

to flatten or make smooth, especially by ironing: to press clothes;to press flowers in the leaves of a book.

to extract juice, sugar, etc., from by pressure: to press grapes.

to squeeze out or express, as juice: to press the juice from grapes.

to beset or harass; afflict: He was pressed by problems on all sides.

to trouble or oppress; put into a difficult position, as by depriving: Poverty pressed them hard.

to urge or entreat strongly or insistently: He pressed his parents to take him along. The interviewer pressed her for an explanation.

to emphasize or propound forcefully; insist upon: He pressed his own ideas on us.

to plead or pursue with insistence: The union’s shop steward pressed a complaint on the employee’s behalf.

to urge onward; hasten: He pressed his horse to go faster.

to push forward.

verb (used without object)

to manufacture (phonograph records, videodiscs, or the like), especially by stamping from a mold or matrix.

to exert weight, force, or pressure.

Weightlifting. to raise or lift, especially a specified amount of weight, in a press.

to iron clothing, curtains, etc.

to bear heavily, as upon the mind.

(of athletes and competitors) to perform tensely or overanxiously, as when one feels pressured or is determined to break out of a slump; strain because of frustration: For days he hasn't seemed able to buy a hit, and he's been pressing.

to compel haste: Time presses.

to demand immediate attention.

to use urgent entreaty: to press for an answer.

to push forward or advance with force, eagerness, or haste: The army pressed to reach the river by dawn.

to crowd or throng.

Basketball. to employ a press.

noun

an act of pressing; pressure.

the state of being pressed.

printed publications collectively, especially newspapers and periodicals.

all the media and agencies that print, broadcast, or gather and transmit news, including newspapers, newsmagazines, radio and television news bureaus, and wire services.

the editorial employees, taken collectively, of these media and agencies.

(often used with a plural verb) a group of news reporters, or of news reporters and news photographers: The press are in the outer office, waiting for a statement.

the consensus of the general critical commentary or the amount of coverage accorded a person, thing, or event, especially in newspapers and periodicals (often preceded by good or bad): The play received a good press.The minister's visit got a bad press.

printing press.

an establishment for printing books, magazines, etc.

the process or art of printing.

any of various devices or machines for exerting pressure, stamping, or crushing.

a wooden or metal viselike device for preventing a tennis or other racket from warping when not in use.

a pressing or pushing forward.

a crowding, thronging, or pressing together; collective force: The press of the crowd drove them on.

a crowd, throng, or multitude.

the desired smooth or creased effect caused by ironing or pressing: His suit was out of press.

pressure or urgency, as of affairs or business.

an upright case or other piece of furniture for holding clothes, books, pamphlets, etc.

Basketball. an aggressive form of defense in which players guard opponents very closely.

Weightlifting. a lift in which the barbell, after having been lifted from the ground up to chest level, is pushed to a position overhead with the arms extended straight up, without moving the legs or feet.

OTHER WORDS FOR press

9 annoy, harass, worry, torment, assail, besiege.

11 induce, persuade, beg, implore.

See synonyms for press on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about press

go to press, to begin being printed: The last edition has gone to press.

press charges. See entry at press charges.

press the flesh, Informal. flesh (def. 24).

Origin of press

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun press(e), pres(e) “throng, company, trouble, machine for pressing, clothespress,” from Old French presse, prese, derivative of presser “to press,” from Latin pressāre, frequentative of premere (past participle pressus ) “to press” (compare rare Old English press “clothespress,” from Medieval Latin pressa, noun use of feminine of pressus); Middle English verb pressen, pres(se), from Old French pres(s)er, from Latin pressāre, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM press

press·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby press

pre-Socratic, presort, Prespa, pres. part., Presque Isle, press, press agency, press agent, press-agentry, press association, press-back

Other definitions for press (2 of 3)

press²

[ pres ]

/ prɛs /

verb (used with object)

to force into service, especially naval or military service; impress.

to make use of in a manner different from that intended or desired: French taxis were pressed into service as troop transports.

noun

impressment into service, especially naval or military service.

Origin of press

First recorded in 1535–45; back formation from prest, past participle of obsolete prest “to take (men) for military service,” verb use of prest² (in the sense “enlistment money”)

Other definitions for press (3 of 3)

Press

[ pres ]

/ prɛs /

noun

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PRESS

What is a basic definition of press?

Press means to apply force to something or to move something to a certain spot or position. Press is also used as a noun to refer to the media or media coverage. Press has many other senses as a verb and a noun.

Press means to apply steady force to something, often with a finger or hand. For example, you press the power button on a remote control to turn a TV on.

Real-life examples: You press the buttons on a microwave to make it work. A person must press the keys on a keyboard in order to type on a computer.
Used in a sentence: Janelle pressed the pause button on the controller before getting a snack.

Press can also mean to use force to move something into a specific position.

Real-life examples: Prison guards may press prisoners against a wall in order to search them. People press their hands together when praying. A customer might press their movie ticket against the glass of a teller’s booth to show that they bought one.
Used in a sentence: My friend pressed the poster against the wall while I taped it down.

The word press is used as a noun to collectively refer to all the newspapers, TV programs, radio shows, and other means of communication that make up the news media. The people who work for organizations that produce these communications are also referred to as the press.

Real-life examples: Politicians, athletes, scientists, and police often answer questions from the press. Citizens rely on the press for accurate news and to learn about what is happening in the world.
Used in a sentence: The senator refused to talk to the press.

In a similar sense, the word press also refers to the stories and other communications that news media create to inform their audience.

Used in a sentence: His son’s acts of charity always provided good press for the mayor.

Where does press come from?

The first records of press come from around 1175. Both the noun and verb senses of press ultimately come from the Latin verb pressāre.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to press?

pressable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for press?

What are some words that share a root or word element with press?

What are some words that often get used in discussing press?

How is press used in real life?

Press is a very common word that often refers to applying force to things or the news media.

Driving with my parents is like driving with an air-horn pressed against my ear

— rome (@RSansone12) May 5, 2013

Mark Zuckerberg is taking questions from the press, but the Q&A session isn't being live streamed.

— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) March 7, 2013

*me re-reading my own tweet with a spelling error that wasn’t there when I pressed send* pic.twitter.com/jXLLPf9ENy

— sharine taylor 🇯🇲 (@shharine) February 26, 2021

Try using press!

Is press used correctly in the following sentence?

The doctor gently pressed the stethoscope against the patient’s chest to listen for a heat beat.

How to use press in a sentence

Apple has removed the ability of the watch to sense deep presses on the screen, a feature it called 3D Touch on all previous models.
Apple Watch Series 6 first impressions: A stretchy addition looks great|Aaron Pressman|September 17, 2020|Fortune
Still, a lightning storm of 11,000 lightning strikes struck the San Francisco Bay Area in mid-august and ignited over 367 new fires, says Cal Fire’s division chief Jeremy Rahn in a press release.
West Coast wildfire smoke is visible from outer space|María Paula Rubiano A.|September 16, 2020|Popular-Science
Navigating your phone and typingA long press on any app icon on the home screen on Android or iOS will reveal some useful time-saving shortcuts.
Get around your phone more quickly than you already are|David Nield|September 16, 2020|Popular-Science
As of press time, here is a guide to some of the LGBTQ programs that are on the calendar.
Fall TV season brings handful of queer shows|Brian T. Carney|September 16, 2020|Washington Blade

At a press conference Friday, the Union-Tribune reports, Assemblyman Todd Gloria urged the city to investigate what happened and urged NBC 7 to be transparent about its own efforts to understand how it got duped.
Morning Report: Oceanside Reboots Top Cop Search|Voice of San Diego|September 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Cambodia, with its seemingly free press, is also a haven for foreign journalists.
Cambodia’s Smoke-and-Mirrors Democracy|David Shaftel|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Sadly, it appears the American press often doesn't need any outside help when it comes to censoring themselves.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This time it would be the biggest mistake for the Western press to repeat that—absolutely the biggest mistake.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the most important point I want to make is about what the press does now.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And finally, this is who most of our political press is—gullible enough to be surprised by either of the first two.
Today’s GOP: Still Cool With Racist Pandering?|Michael Tomasky|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If the "Y" Beach lot press their advantage they may cut off the enemy troops on the toe of the Peninsula.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
"We will go to the Hotel de l'Europe, if you press it;" and away the cabriolet joggled over the roughly paved street.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
He does well to be proud of his men and of the way they played up to-day when he called upon them to press back the enemy.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He was to pay one third of the amount before the book went to press, the balance he was to pay within a reasonable time.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Here, Mr. Slocum paused to wipe his spectacles, and the wife seized the opportunity to press the question.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various

British Dictionary definitions for press (1 of 2)

press¹

/ (prɛs) /

verb

to apply or exert weight, force, or steady pressure onhe pressed the button on the camera

(tr) to squeeze or compress so as to alter in shape or form

to apply heat or pressure to (clothing) so as to smooth out or mark with creases; iron

to make (objects) from soft material by pressing with a mould, form, etc, esp to make gramophone records from plastic

(tr) to hold tightly or clasp, as in an embrace

(tr) to extract or force out (juice) by pressure (from)

(tr) weightlifting to lift (a weight) successfully with a presshe managed to press 280 pounds

(tr) to force, constrain, or compel

to importune or entreat (a person) insistently; urgethey pressed for an answer

to harass or cause harassment

(tr) to plead or put forward strongly or importunatelyto press a claim

(intr) to be urgent

(tr; usually passive) to have little ofwe're hard pressed for time

(when intr, often foll by on or forward) to hasten or advance or cause to hasten or advance in a forceful manner

(intr) to crowd; throng; push

(tr) (formerly) to put to death or subject to torture by placing heavy weights upon

(tr) archaic to trouble or oppress

press charges to bring charges against a person

noun

any machine that exerts pressure to form, shape, or cut materials or to extract liquids, compress solids, or hold components together while an adhesive joint is formed

See printing press

the art or process of printing

at the press or in the press being printed

to press or to the press to be printedwhen is this book going to press?

the press

news media and agencies collectively, esp newspapers
(as modifier)a press matter; press relations

the press those who work in the news media, esp newspaper reporters and photographers

the opinions and reviews in the newspapers, etcthe play received a poor press

the act of pressing or state of being pressed

the act of crowding, thronging, or pushing together

a closely packed throng of people; crowd; multitude

urgency or hurry in business affairs

a cupboard, esp a large one used for storing clothes or linen

a wood or metal clamp or vice to prevent tennis rackets, etc, from warping when not in use

weightlifting a lift in which the weight is raised to shoulder level and then above the head

Word Origin for press

C14 pressen, from Old French presser, from Latin pressāre, from premere to press

British Dictionary definitions for press (2 of 2)

press²

/ (prɛs) /

verb (tr)

to recruit (men) by forcible measures for military service

to use for a purpose other than intended, (esp in the phrase press into service)

noun

recruitment into military service by forcible measures, as by a press gang

Word Origin for press

C16: back formation from prest to recruit soldiers; see prest ²; also influenced by press 1

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with press

press

In addition to the idioms beginning with press

pressed for time
press into service
press on
press one's luck
press the flesh

also see:

hard pressed
hot off the press
push (press) one's luck
push (press) someone's buttons

Also see underpush.

press

OTHER WORDS FOR press

Idioms about press

Origin of press

OTHER WORDS FROM press

Words nearby press

Other definitions for press (2 of 3)

Origin of press

Other definitions for press (3 of 3)

MORE ABOUT PRESS

What is a basic definition of press?

Where does press come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is press used in real life?

Try using press!

Words related to press

How to use press in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for press (1 of 2)

Word Origin for press

British Dictionary definitions for press (2 of 2)

Word Origin for press

Other Idioms and Phrases with press