Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of applying force or weight: "press" refers to the action of pushing steadily against something or applying pressure.
   • A machine or device that applies pressure: "press" can be a machine used for shaping, squeezing, or flattening materials.
   • Printing machinery or the printing/broadcasting industry: "press" denotes the machines used for printing or, collectively, the institutions involved in publishing and journalism (e.g., newspapers, magazines).
   • A dense crowd: "press" can describe a tightly packed group of people.
   • A piece of furniture for storing clothes: "press" is an older term for a tall cupboard or wardrobe.

2. Verb:

   • To apply steady force or weight: To push something firmly, often with the hand or fingers.
   • To flatten or smooth by applying pressure and often heat: To use an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric.
   • To urge strongly or insist on: To try to persuade someone forcefully to do something or to emphasize a point.
   • To crowd or push against: To move closely against someone or something in a confined space.
   • To extract liquid by applying pressure: To squeeze juice or oil from fruit, seeds, etc.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He gave the door a firm press, but it wouldn't open. (The act of applying force)
  • The factory uses a hydraulic press to mold car parts. (A pressure-applying machine)
  • The story was reported in the press. (The news media)
  • She got lost in the press of people at the concert. (A dense crowd)

• Verb:

  • Press the button to start the machine. (Apply force)
  • Could you press these trousers for me? (Iron)
  • They press him for an answer. (Urge strongly)
  • The fans pressed against the barrier to see the singer. (Crowd against)
  • We press olives to make oil. (Extract liquid)

Advanced Usage

• "to press charges": To formally accuse someone of a crime in a legal context.

  • The victim decided to press charges against the thief.

• "to press on/ahead": To continue doing something with determination, especially when it is difficult.

  • Despite the bad weather, the climbers decided to press on to the summit.

• "to press the point": To emphasize an argument or opinion by discussing it repeatedly.

  • He saw they disagreed but continued to press the point.

Variants and Related Words

• Pressure (n): The continuous physical force exerted on an object.

  • The water pressure is very low today.

• Pressing (adj): Requiring immediate action or attention; urgent.

  • We have a pressing need for more staff.

• Compress (v): To press or squeeze something so that it takes up less space.

  • You can compress the files to save disk space.

Synonyms

• Push: To use force to move something away from oneself.
• Squeeze: To press something firmly, especially from all sides.
• Urge: To try earnestly or persistently to persuade.
• Iron: To smooth clothes with a heated appliance (specific to one meaning).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Press for: To demand something persistently.

  • The workers are pressing for higher wages.

• Press into service: To use something or someone for a purpose they were not originally intended for, especially due to urgent need.

  • During the flood, every available boat was pressed into service.

Related Idioms

• "Press one's luck": To take a risk in the hope of continued success, often pushing it too far.

  • You won the first game; don't press your luck by challenging him again.

• "Go to press": To be sent to be printed (for a newspaper, book, etc.).

  • The final edition of the newspaper goes to press at midnight.

Noun

1. the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
   • he gave the button a press
   • he used pressure to stop the bleeding
   • at the pressing of a button
2. a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then smoothly lifted overhead
3. any machine that exerts pressure to form or shape or cut materials or extract liquids or compress solids
4. clamp to prevent wooden rackets from warping when not in use
5. a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
6. a dense crowd of people
7. a machine used for printing
8. the print media responsible for gathering and publishing news in the form of newspapers or magazines
9. the state of demanding notice or attention
   • the insistence of their hunger
   • the press of business matters

Verb

1. ask for or request earnestly
   • The prophet bid all people to become good persons
2. lift weights
   • This guy can press 300 pounds
3. press and smooth with a heated iron
   • press your shirts
   • she stood there ironing
4. make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby
   • `Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman
5. press from a plastic
   • press a record
6. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
   • The liberal party pushed for reforms
   • She is crusading for women's rights
   • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate
7. be urgent
   • This is a pressing problem
8. create by pressing
   • Press little holes into the soft clay
9. crowd closely
   • The crowds pressed along the street
10. squeeze or press together
    • she compressed her lips
    • the spasm contracted the muscle
11. place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure
    • pressed flowers
12. to be oppressive or burdensome
    • weigh heavily on the mind, Something pressed on his mind
13. force or impel in an indicated direction
    • I urged him to finish his studies
14. exert pressure or force to or upon
    • He pressed down on the boards
    • press your thumb on this spot