press

press is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

present - press - pressure

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) IPA ^(key): /prɛs/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular press

Plural presses

Ronald Reagan speaking to the press

a press

1. (uncountable) (sometimes with plural verb) The press are the people and organisations that report the news.

   The president gave an interview with members of the press.

   The company put out a press release about the new equipment.

2. (uncountable) The press is the news as it is reported.

   The next day, the fire was all over the press.

3. (countable) A press is a company that prints books.

   The book was published by University of California Press.

4. (countable) A press is a machine that prints books, newspapers, etc.

   Stop the presses! We've got a new story.

5. (countable) A press is a machine that pushes down on something to make it flat or to push out the water or juice.
6. (countable) A press is a time when you push something.

   She gave the button a quick press.

Synonyms

• media

Verb

Plain form press

Third-person singular presses

Past tense pressed

Past participle pressed

Present participle pressing

bench press

1. (transitive) If you press something, you push it against something.

   She pressed her nose against the window.

   Please, press a button.

   He found the cut and pressed down firmly to stop the blood.

2. (transitive) If you press clothes, you use an iron to make them flat.
3. (transitive & intransitive) If you press someone to do something, you ask them strongly or many times.

   When she pressed him for an answer, he hung up the phone.

   The group has been pressing for new laws to reduce pollution.

4. (intransitive) If you press on or forward, you keep going even though it's difficult.
5. (transitive) If you press a weight, you exercise by moving the weight up and away from your body.
6. (transitive) If you press a CD or record, you make a physical copy of it.

Synonyms

• push
• squeeze

Related words

• unpressed
• pressingly