push-up

American  

[poosh-uhp] / ˈpʊʃˌʌp /

noun

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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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

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

Other weeks I couldn’t do a push-up on my knees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 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

If you’re able to do a push-up, see how many you can do before your form suffers, then immediately stop.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

“Grandma’ll be up and all over us,” Ernie said, jumping up from push-up position.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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