plural
presses
plural
presses
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESS
1
a
[noncount]
:
newspapers, magazines, and radio and television news reports
-
American/foreign/local press
-
Reports in the press suggested there had been many casualties.
-
freedom of the press [=the right of newspapers, magazines, etc., to report news without being controlled by the government]
—
often used before another noun
b
the press
:
the people (such as reporters and photographers) who work for newspapers, magazines, etc.
—
see also press conference
c
—
used to talk about how often or how well or badly someone or something is described in newspapers, magazines, etc.
[noncount]
-
The trial has been getting a lot of press. [=there have been a lot of press reports about the trial]
-
The new edition of the dictionary is getting good press.
-
He has gotten a lot of bad press lately.
[singular]
2
b
[noncount]
:
the act or the process of being printed
-
The book is on press now and due out soon.
-
The story is going to press. [=the story is about to be printed]
-
He did not return our call by/before press time. [=the time when the story was printed]
c
[count]
:
a printing or publishing business
3
[count]
:
a machine that uses pressure to shape, flatten, or squeeze something
4
[count]
:
the act of pushing or flattening something with your finger or hand or with a device (such as an iron)
—
usually singular
5
[singular]
:
a large group of people gathered together in one place
:
crowd
—
often + of
2
press
/ˈprɛs/
verb
presses;
pressed;
pressing
presses;
pressed;
pressing
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESS
1
a
:
to push (something) with strong or steady force
[+ object]
-
She pressed the pieces of clay together.
-
The machine presses the metal/plastic into sheets.
-
People were pressed against each other in the crowd.
-
The little girl pressed her face against the window.
-
Dad took me aside and pressed some money into my hand.
[no object]
b
:
to push (something, such as a button or lever on a machine) with your finger or hand
[+ object]
[no object]
2
[+ object]
:
to force or try to persuade (someone) to do something especially by repeatedly asking for it to be done
-
She pressed him to go with her to the ballet.
-
I pressed her for more details.
-
He is pressing [=pressuring] us for a decision. = He is pressing us to make a decision.
-
After the scandal, the CEO was pressed into resigning.
-
When pressed, he tends to give in.
3
[+ object]
:
to repeat (something) often in a way that is annoying to show that it is very important
-
I don't want to press [=push] the issue, but it is important and needs to be addressed immediately.
-
He kept pressing the point that something needs to be done immediately.
-
They're trying to press home their message. [=trying to make their message clear and forceful]
-
Laborers are pressing their case for higher wages.
4
[+ object]
:
to flatten or smooth out (something) with your hand, an iron, etc.
5
[+ object]
:
to push down on a fruit or vegetable to make juice come out of it
-
He pressed the apples to make cider.
-
The machine presses the juice out of the grapes.
-
freshly pressed [=(more commonly) squeezed] orange juice
6
a
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to continue moving forward in a forceful or steady way
b
:
to continue to do something especially in a determined way
[no object]
—
usually + on or ahead
-
Now that we have answered that question, let's press on.
-
The city pressed ahead with plans to build a casino.
[+ object]
7
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to crowd closely around or against someone or something
:
to move in a large group toward or near someone or something
press charges
:
to take legal action against someone
:
to officially accuse someone of a crime
press for
[phrasal verb]
press for (something)
:
to make a demand for (something)
press on
[phrasal verb]
also
press upon
press (something) on/upon (someone)
:
to force (someone) to take or accept (something)
-
I tried to press money on him for my half of the bill, but he refused to take it.
-
She's always pressing her opinions on us.
—
see also 2press 6b (above)
press (someone or something) into service
:
to use (someone or something) for a particular job or purpose when a special need occurs
press the flesh
informal
:
to greet and shake hands with people especially while campaigning for a political office