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• press gang
  press gang

  noun

  a body of persons under the command of an officer, formerly employed to impress others for service, especially in the navy or army.
• press-gang
  press-gang

  verb (used with object)

  to force (a person) into military or naval service.

press gang

¹ American  

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.

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press-gang ² American  

[pres-gang] / ˈprɛsˌgæŋ /

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.

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press gang British  

noun

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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of press gang

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

He either issues puffs of air or decisions with the nuance of a press gang.

From Washington Post • Aug. 2, 2022

Faced with a blank no comment, one of the Downing Street press gang instead quizzed the PM’s spokesperson on the status of the U.K’s pig semen deal with China, to the sniggers of colleagues.

From Time • Sep. 21, 2015

I considered that again because I felt that if I did so I would be immediately accused of trying to influence or press gang someone.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2013

While she was there, a young admirer of hers was seized by the navy press gang.

From Superwomen by Terhune, Albert Payson

Of course she didn't know, but all the town were talking of the men who had been taken away by the press gang, and she thought they must have clapped hands on her lodger.

From The Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in Spain by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)