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• push button
  push button

  noun

  a device designed to close or open an electric circuit when a button or knob is depressed, and to return to a normal position when it is released.
• push-button
  push-button

  adjective

  operated by or as if by push buttons.

push button

¹ American  

Or pushbutton

noun

1. a device designed to close or open an electric circuit when a button or knob is depressed, and to return to a normal position when it is released.

2. the button or knob depressed.

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push-button ² American  

[poosh-buht-n] / ˈpʊʃˌbʌt n /

adjective

1. operated by or as if by push buttons.

   push-button tuning.

2. using complex, automated weapons, as long-range missiles, that require only simple initial steps to put them into action.

   push-button warfare.

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push button British  

noun

1. an electrical switch operated by pressing a button, which closes or opens a circuit

2.  push-button.  (modifier)

   1. operated by a push button

      a push-button radio

   2. initiated as simply as by pressing a button

      push-button warfare

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Etymology

Origin of push button¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Origin of push-button²

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

“Usually older people, they don’t like the push button to start the car,” he said.

From New York Times • Nov. 25, 2021

Also, the lid doesn’t have a push button and needs to be removed, as on a traditional stovetop kettle.

From Slate • Oct. 26, 2018

“In ’80, there was no push button, come-rescue-me button.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2017

They strapped her in and showed her how to hit the push button in the toy she would hopefully use for at least three or four years.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2016

Wrong: The tapper strikes the gong, which continues as long as the push button is pressed.

From The Century Handbook of Writing by Greever, Garland