press1 (press)

verb

• 1move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force: [with object and adverbial of direction]: he pressed his face to the glass [no object, with adverbial of direction]: her body pressed against his
• [with object] exert continuous physical force on (something), typically in order to operate a device: he pressed a button and the doors slid open
• [with object] squeeze (someone’s arm or hand) as a sign of affection: Winnie pressed his hand
• [no object, with adverbial of direction] move in a specified direction by pushing: the mob was still pressing forward
• (of an enemy or opponent) attack persistently and fiercely: [no object]: their enemies pressed in on all sides
• [no object] (press on/ahead) continue in one’s action: he stubbornly pressed on with his work

• 2 [with object] apply pressure to (something) to flatten, shape, or smooth it, typically by ironing: she pressed her nicest blouse (as adjective pressed) immaculately pressed trousers
• apply pressure to (a flower or leaf) between sheets of paper in order to dry and preserve it.
• extract (juice or oil) by crushing or squeezing fruit, vegetables, etc.: (as adjective pressed) freshly pressed orange juice
• squeeze or crush (fruit, vegetables, etc.) to extract the juice or oil: the small seeds of sesame are chiefly pressed for their oil
• manufacture (something, especially a record) by moulding under pressure: the record was pressed in two runs of 500 copies

• 3 [with object] forcefully put forward (an opinion, claim, or course of action): Rose did not press the point
• make strong efforts to persuade or force (someone) to do something: when I pressed him for precise figures he evaded the subject [with infinitive]: the marketing directors were pressed to justify their expenditure [no object]: they continued to press for changes in legislation
• (press something on/upon) insist that (someone) accepts an offer or gift: he pressed dinner invitations on her
• [no object] (of time) be in short supply, necessitating immediate action: she was almost 45 years old and time was pressing
• (be pressed) have barely enough of something, especially time: I’m terribly pressed for time
• (be pressed to do something) have difficulty doing or achieving something: they may be hard pressed to keep their promise

• 4 [with object] Weightlifting raise (a specified weight) by lifting it to shoulder height and then gradually pushing it upwards above the head.

• 5 [no object] Golf try too hard to achieve distance with a shot, at the risk of inaccuracy.

noun

• 1a device for applying pressure to something in order to flatten or shape it or to extract juice or oil: a flower press a wine press
• a machine that applies pressure to a workpiece by means of a tool, in order to punch shapes.

• 2a printing press.
• [often in names] a business that prints or publishes books: the Clarendon Press

• 3 (the press) [treated as singular or plural] newspapers or journalists viewed collectively: the incident was not reported in the press [as modifier]: press coverage of the trial
• [mass noun] coverage in newspapers and magazines: there’s no point in demonstrating if you don’t get any press [in singular]: the government has had a bad press for years

• 4an act of pressing something: the system summons medical help at the press of a button these clothes could do with a press
• [in singular] a closely packed crowd or mass of people or things: among the press of cars he saw a taxi
• dated pressure of business.
• Basketball any of various forms of close guarding by the defending team.

• 5 Weightlifting an act of raising a weight to shoulder height and then gradually pushing it upwards above the head.

• 6chiefly Irish & Scottish a large cupboard.