push Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of applying force in order to move something away
    pushing.
    • he gave the door a hard push
    • the pushing is good exercise
  2. noun the force used in pushing
    thrust.
    • the push of the water on the walls of the tank
    • the thrust of the jet engines
  3. noun enterprising or ambitious drive
    energy; get-up-and-go.
    • Europeans often laugh at American energy
  4. noun an electrical switch operated by pressing
    button; push button.
    • the elevator was operated by push buttons
    • the push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk
  5. noun an effort to advance
    • the army made a push toward the sea
  6. verb move with force, "He pushed the table into a corner"
    force.
  7. verb press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action
    bear on.
    • He pushed her to finish her doctorate
  8. verb make publicity for; try to sell (a product)
    advertise; promote; advertize.
    • The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model
    • The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops
  9. verb strive and make an effort to reach a goal
    drive; labor; labour; tug.
    • She tugged for years to make a decent living
    • We have to push a little to make the deadline!
    • She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
  10. verb press against forcefully without moving
    • she pushed against the wall with all her strength
  11. verb approach a certain age or speed
    crowd.
    • She is pushing fifty
  12. verb exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
    campaign; agitate; fight; crusade; press.
    • The liberal party pushed for reforms
    • She is crusading for women's rights
    • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate
  13. verb sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs)
    • The guy hanging around the school is pushing drugs
  14. verb move strenuously and with effort
    • The crowd pushed forward
  15. verb make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby
    press.
    • `Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman

WordNet

Push noun
Etymology
Probably F. poche. See Pouch.
Definitions
  1. A pustule; a pimple. Obs. or Prov. Eng. Bacon.
Push transitive verb
Etymology
OE. possen, pussen, F. pousser, fr. L. pulsare, v. intens. fr. pellere, pulsum, to beat, knock, push. See Pulse a beating, and cf. Pursy.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Pushed ; present participle & verbal noun Pushing
Definitions
  1. To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; -- opposed to draw.
    Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat. Milton.
  2. To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
    If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned. Ex. xxi. 32.
  3. To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far. " To push his fortune." Dryden.
    Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor. Spectator.
    We are pushed for an answer. Swift.
  4. To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.
  5. To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.
Push intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword. Shak.
  2. To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.
    At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him. Dan. xi. 40.
    War seemed asleep for nine long years; at length Both sides resolved to push, we tried our strength. Dryden.
  3. To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.
    The rider pushed on at a rapid pace. Sir W. Scott.
Push noun
Definitions
  1. A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.
  2. Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.
  3. An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.
    Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push. Milton.
    hen it comes to the push, tic no more than talk. L' Estrange.
  4. The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push. Colloq. Syn. -- See Thrust.

Webster 1913