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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

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

From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2021

The Tribest Glass Raw Tea Kettle GKD-450-B lacks a push button on the handle.

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 push button by which he could call assistance from the office was in the alcove.

From Frank Merriwell's New Comedian The Rise of a Star by Burt L. Standish

Inexpensive push-button phones satisfy needs for basic communication.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

It turns out that Millennials and Gen Z prefer authentic experiences over the hollow simulacrum of push-button plastic guitars.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2023

Mr Scott's 1980 model, given to him in 2006, was built before the days of padded steering wheels and electric windows, but it still has a working push-button radio.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2023

“A subset of Hyundai vehicles on the road in the U.S. today – primarily “base trim” or entry-level models – are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2023

Von Rumpel limps through the rooms with their faded white moldings and ancient kerosene lamps and embroidered curtains and belle epoque mirrors and ships in glass bottles and push-button electrical switches, all dead.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr