push

¹push

verb \ˈpu̇sh\

Definition of PUSH

transitive verb

1

a : to press against with force in order to drive or impel b : to move or endeavor to move away or ahead by steady pressure without striking

2

a : to thrust forward, downward, or outward b : to cause to increase : raise <push prices to record levels> c : to try to move beyond or expand <push one's limits> d : to hit (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing — compare pull

3

a : to press or urge forward to completion b : to urge or press the advancement, adoption, or practice of <pushed a bill in the legislature>; especially : to make aggressive efforts to sell <we're pushing ham this week> c : to engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics)

4

: to bear hard upon so as to involve in difficulty <poverty pushed them to the breaking point>

5

: to approach in age or number <grandmother must be pushing 75>

intransitive verb

1

: to press against something with steady force in or as if in order to impel

2

: to press forward energetically against opposition

3

: to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end <pushing for higher wages>

— push one's luck

: to take an increasing risk

Examples of PUSH

1. Do you want to push the shopping cart?
2. He slowly pushed the door open.
3. She pushed back her chair and stood up.
4. She pushed him aside and marched into the boss's office.
5. He pushed her out of the way.
6. He pushed me into the table.
7. He was pushed off the sidewalk into the street.
8. She pushed her wet hair back from her face.
9. The bulldozer pushed the rubble over the edge of the pit.
10. No matter how hard I pushed, I couldn't move the boulder.

Origin of PUSH

Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike — more at felt

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PUSH

Synonyms: drive, propel, shove, thrust

Related Words: impel, move; bear (down), compress, depress, jam, pressure, squash, squeeze, weigh (upon); bulldoze, compel, force, lean (on or against), muscle, ram

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