Collins English-English Dictionary

press [prεs]

1. 1. vb to apply or exert weight, force, or steady pressure on

   he pressed the button on the camera

2. 2. vt. [tr] to squeeze or compress so as to alter in shape or form

3. 3. vt. to apply heat or pressure to (clothing) so as to smooth out or mark with creases; iron

4. 4. vt. to make (objects) from soft material by pressing with a mould, form, etc, esp to make gramophone records from plastic

5. 5. vt. [tr] to hold tightly or clasp, as in an embrace

6. 6. vt. [tr] to extract or force out (juice) by pressure (from)

7. 7. vt. [tr] [weightlifting] to lift (a weight) successfully with a press

   he managed to press 280 pounds

8. 8. vt. [tr] to force, constrain, or compel

9. 9. vt. to importune or entreat (a person) insistently; urge

   they pressed for an answer

10. 10. vt. to harass or cause harassment

11. 11. vt. [tr] to plead or put forward strongly or importunately

    to press a claim

12. 12. vi. [intr] to be urgent

13. 13. vt. [tr; usually passive] to have little of

    we're hard pressed for time

14. 14. vt. [when intr, often foll by on or forward] to hasten or advance or cause to hasten or advance in a forceful manner

15. 15. vi. [intr] to crowd; throng; push

16. 16. vt. [tr] (formerly) to put to death or subject to torture by placing heavy weights upon

17. 17. vt. [tr] [archaic] to trouble or oppress

18. 18. n any machine that exerts pressure to form, shape, or cut materials or to extract liquids, compress solids, or hold components together while an adhesive joint is formed

19. 19. n See printing press

20. 20. n the art or process of printing

21. 21. n the opinions and reviews in the newspapers, etc

    the play received a poor press

22. 22. n the act of pressing or state of being pressed

23. 23. n the act of crowding, thronging, or pushing together

24. 24. n a closely packed throng of people; crowd; multitude

25. 25. n urgency or hurry in business affairs

26. 26. n a cupboard, esp a large one used for storing clothes or linen

27. 27. n a wood or metal clamp or vice to prevent tennis rackets, etc, from warping when not in use

28. 28. n [weightlifting] a lift in which the weight is raised to shoulder level and then above the head

29. 29. n [Etymology] C14 pressen, from Old French presser, from Latin pressare, from premere to press

press [prεs]

1. 1. vt. [tr] to recruit (men) by forcible measures for military service

2. 2. vt. to use for a purpose other than intended, (esp in the phrase press into service)

3. 3. n recruitment into military service by forcible measures, as by a press gang

4. 4. n [Etymology] C16: back formation from prest to recruit soldiers; see prest²; also influenced by press¹