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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 reachability enabled by digital command also produced anxiety—if anyone could gain access to a push button, how could society maintain control over the unskilled, incompetent, or evil-doing controller?

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2022

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

From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2021

“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

Searching the edge of the casement, he found a push button and touched it with his finger.

From The Black Star A Detective Story by Johnston McCulley

They embraced push-button elevators for their speed and efficiency, not to mention as a way of avoiding rising labor costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 2, 2026

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

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2024

Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys.

From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2024

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

With push-button ease, one may send a fog of dieldrin into the most inaccessible nooks and crannies of cabinets, corners, and baseboards.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson