press
noun · verb
Simple meaning
An instance of applying pressure.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
prehsIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈpɹɛs
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
An instance of applying pressure; an instance of pressing.
countable
A device used to apply pressure to an item.
uncountable
A crowd.
A commission to force men into public service, particularly into the navy.
countable
A publisher.
countable
Pure, unfermented grape juice.
verb
transitive
To reduce to a particular shape or form by pressure, especially flatten or smooth.
transitive
To compress, squeeze.
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
transitive
To force to a certain end or result; to urge strongly.
transitive
To hasten, urge onward.
transitive
To urge, beseech, entreat.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Word Aura is being prepared for this meaning.
More ways to use press
- “He pressed down on the boards.”verb
- “The crowds pressed along the street.”verb
- “Press little holes into the soft clay.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Inflected forms
Grammatical variations of the same word.
The act of pressing.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.