press¹

  • verb 1 move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force. 2 exert continuous physical force on (something), especially to operate a device. 3 apply pressure to (something) to flatten or shape it. 4 move in a specified direction by pushing. 5 (press on/ahead) continue in one’s action. 6 forcefully put forward (an opinion or claim). 7 make strong efforts to persuade or force to do something. 8 extract (juice or oil) by crushing or squeezing fruit, vegetables, etc. 9 (of time) be short. (be pressed to do) have difficulty doing. Weightlifting raise (a weight) by gradually pushing it upwards from the shoulders.

  • noun 1 a device for applying pressure in order to flatten or shape something or to extract juice or oil. 2 a printing press. 3 (the press) treated as sing. or pl. newspapers or journalists collectively. 4 coverage in newspapers and magazines. 5 a printing or publishing business. 6 a closely packed mass of people or things.

  — PHRASES go to press go to be printed. press (the) flesh informal, chiefly N. Amer. greet people by shaking hands.

  — ORIGIN Latin pressare ‘keep pressing’.

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