push-up

American  

[poosh-uhp] / ˈpʊʃˌʌp /

noun

• push-ups
  plural

1. an exercise in which a person, keeping a prone position with the hands palms down under the shoulders, the balls of the feet on the ground, and the back straight, pushes the body up and lets it down by an alternate straightening and bending of the arms.

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adjective

1. (of a brassiere) having padding and usually underwires in the lower part of the cups so as to raise the breasts and make them seem fuller.

2. (of a sleeve) made to be pushed up the arm, away from the wrist or elbow, so as to create a puffed or creased fullness.

push-up British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): press-up. an exercise in which the body is alternately raised from and lowered to the floor by the arms only, the trunk being kept straight with the toes and hands resting on the floor

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• push-ups
  plural

Etymology

Origin of push-up

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase push up

Compare meaning

How does push-up compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• press-up vs. push-up

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

push-up push-ups

He developed a sitting exercise called the soleus push-up External link.

From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026

The plank involves holding a position similar to a push-up for an extended period to work core abdominal muscles as well as the back, shoulders, arms and glutes.

From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026

Back then, I was pretty vain, and we would do this push-up routine before I went onstage so I’d look jacked.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025

“I’m doing 2½-minute planks,” said Deborah, referring to the exercise in which you get into a push-up position and hold it for as long as you can.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2025

And she’ll always think back to the time when she taught him to do a proper push-up.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

The 42-year-old incorporated hacky sacks into a recent workout, challenging students to push-ups each time the sack dropped.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

Researchers note that free weights, dumbbells, weight machines, and bodyweight exercises such as modified push-ups, wall presses, and knee bends can all help improve strength.

From Science Daily ● May 12, 2026

No big deal: some pull-ups, some push-ups, a few squats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

I’m sure he can do push-ups, as he constantly brags.

From Salon ● Dec. 3, 2025

“Ten push-ups, Thompson. I told you not to foul,” Coach said.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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