push

verb

• 1 [with object, usually with adverbial] exert force on (someone or something), typically with one’s hand, in order to move them away from oneself or the origin of the force:she pushed her glass toward him [with object and complement]:Lydia pushed the door shut [no object]:he pushed at the skylight, but it wouldn’t budge
• [with object] hold and exert force on (something) so as to cause it to move along in front of one:a woman was pushing a stroller
• move one’s body or a part of it into a specified position, especially forcefully or with effort:she pushed her hands into her pockets
• [with object] press (a part of a machine or other device):he pushed the button for the twentieth floor
• [with adverbial] cause to reach a particular level or state:they expect that the huge crop will push down prices the political chaos could push the country into recession

• 2 [no object] move forward by using force to pass people or cause them to move aside:she pushed her way through the crowded streets he pushed past an old woman in his haste
• (of an army) advance over territory:the guerrillas have pushed south to within 100 miles of the capital
• exert oneself to attain something or surpass others:I was pushing hard until about 10 laps from the finish
• (push for) demand persistently:the council continued to push for the better management of water resources
• [with object] compel or urge (someone) to do something, especially to work hard:she believed he was pushing their daughter too hard
• (be pushed) informal have very little of something, especially time:I’m a bit pushed for time at the moment
• (be pushing) informal be nearly (a particular age):she must be pushing forty, but she’s still a good looker

• 3 [with object] informal promote the use, sale, or acceptance of:the company is pushing a $500 asking price
• put forward (an argument or demand) with undue force or in too extreme a form:he thought that the belief in individualism had been pushed too far
• sell (a narcotic drug) illegally.

• 4 [with object] Computing prepare (a stack) to receive a piece of data on the top.
• transfer (data) to the top of a stack.

• 5 [with object] Photography develop (film) so as to compensate for deliberate underexposure.

noun

• 1an act of exerting force on someone or something in order to move them away from oneself:he closed the door with a push
• an act of pressing a part of a machine or device:the door locks at the push of a button
• something that encourages or assists something else:the fall in prices was given a push by official policy

• 2a vigorous effort to do or obtain something:many clubs are joining in the fund-raising push he determined to make one last push for success
• a military attack in force:the army was engaged in a push against guerrilla strongholds
• forcefulness and enterprise:an investor with the necessary money and push