press
1 of 2verb/prɛs/
Forms:presses,pressing,pressed,pressed
1
to push a thing tightly against something else
B1transitive- He pressed his foot on the accelerator to increase the speed of the car.
- The athlete pressed her body against the wall, preparing for the starting signal.
- The worker presses the stamp onto the document to mark it as received.
- The child pressed her hand against the window to feel the raindrops.
2
to force the juice out of fruit or vegetables by squeezing them
transitive- She pressed the oranges to extract fresh juice for breakfast.
- The chef pressed the lemons to obtain the tangy juice for the recipe.
- He pressed the grapes to make homemade wine.
- The bartender pressed the limes to extract the juice for cocktails.
- He pressed the tomatoes to extract the juice for a refreshing gazpacho.
3
to apply pressure to something by a heated iron in order to smooth it
transitive- She pressed her dress to remove the wrinkles before attending the event.
- The tailor pressed the seams of the suit jacket to give it a crisp and polished look.
- He pressed the tablecloth to make it smooth and wrinkle-free for the dinner party.
- The laundry worker pressed the freshly washed shirts to give them a professional finish.
- The dry cleaner pressed the pleats of the skirt to restore its original shape.
4
to lift or push a weight away from the body using the upper body muscles
transitive- He pressed the barbell overhead, focusing on his shoulder muscles.
- The athlete pressed the kettlebell above his head in a controlled motion.
- The weightlifter showcased his strength by pressing a heavy barbell overhead.
- She pressed the dumbbells up and down to target her chest.
Synonyms:
5
to apply force to something, typically with a hand or finger, in order to operate or activate a mechanical or electronic device
- Press the button to start the machine.
- He pressed the switch to turn off the lights.
- The mechanic pressed the lever to lift the car.
- She pressed the keys gently on the piano.
- Press the red emergency stop button if something goes wrong.
6
to try very hard to persuade someone to do something
- He pressed his boss for a promotion, citing his accomplishments and dedication to the company.
- The reporters pressed the politician for answers regarding the controversial decision.
- The customer pressed the customer service representative for a refund due to the faulty product.
- The politician pressed the voters to support his campaign.
- The salesperson pressed the customer to buy the latest product.
Synonyms:
7
to force or push something or someone in a certain direction
transitive- He pressed the lever down to activate the machine and start the process.
- The strong current pressed the boat against the rocks, making it difficult to maneuver.
- The bulldozer pressed the heavy debris aside, clearing the path for the construction workers.
- The force of the explosion pressed the debris outward in all directions, scattering it across the area.
- The strong ocean currents pressed the divers off course, making it difficult for them to reach the shipwreck.
8
to flatten and preserve something by subjecting it to pressure from two sides
transitive- The children pressed flowers between the pages of a heavy book.
- Archivists and historians may press important documents to prevent further damage and ensuring their readability.
- Scientists press plants, insects, or animal parts to preserve them for scientific research, documentation, or museum displays.
- They press herbs to use as seasoning or make infused oils.
9
to apply pressure to mold or shape materials
transitive- The vinyl record was pressed using a hydraulic press, which molded the vinyl into the desired shape and size.
- The book publisher decided to expand its operations and start pressing CDs alongside printed materials.
- In the automotive industry, car panels are often pressed from sheets of metal to form the body of the vehicle.
- The woodworking artisan employed traditional techniques to press hardwoods into furniture pieces.
10
to throng or crowd together in a confined space or area
- The fans pressed against the barricades, eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrity.
- As the concert started, the crowd pressed forward, trying to get closer to the stage.
- People from all around the city pressed into the park to witness the fireworks display.
- The commuters pressed onto the subway train during rush hour, filling up every available space.
- Visitors to the museum pressed into the gallery to see the renowned artwork on display.
11
to urge, persuade, or insist that someone accept or receive something
- The friend pressed a gift on him, insisting that he accept it as a token of their friendship.
- The parents pressed their advice on their teenage daughter.
- He pressed a job offer on his friend, highlighting the benefits.
- The host pressed a plate of food on the guest, insisting that they try the homemade dish.
- The politician pressed campaign literature on potential voters, seeking their support in the upcoming election.
12
to insist on a demand, claim, point, etc. by asserting, advocating, or emphasizing it forcefully
transitive- The activist group held a gathering to press their demands for stricter environmental regulations.
- The politician continued to press his point during the debate.
- The employee pressed his claim for promotion, presenting a strong case based on his accomplishments and skills.
- The union members held a strike to press their concerns about working conditions and fair treatment.