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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

• push buttons
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• push buttons
  plural

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

See Examples For:

push button push-button

The ample water reservoir is easy to remove, and we liked the simple lighted push button controls that allow for an easy guided and personalized drink creation experience.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2021

In our tests the push button on the handle made for easy one-handed lid opening, and the water poured in an even stream without dripping.

From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2018

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

From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2017

A large push button replaced the steering, and light sensors mounted underneath the car will allow it to follow a line of tape along the floor whenever Scarlett hits the button.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 19, 2016

The small push button and small plate through which the number may be seen directly below the transmitter in Fig.

From Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by Samuel McMeen

Inexpensive push-button phones satisfy needs for basic communication.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

Likewise, publishers who opt to create push-button novels will be sawing off the proximal tree limb with Wile E. Coyote abandon.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024

She’s holding an old push-button phone where emergency contacts are saved.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2024

In particular, basic models that still used key-driven ignition instead of push-button ignition were targeted by thieves.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 25, 2023

We find adapted computers, talking boards that speak the words, push-button systems, and even devices that work with blinks or head nods.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper