1a device for applying pressure to something in order to flatten or shape it or to extract juice or oil:a flower pressa 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 buttonthese 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.
ზმნა
Universal
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.
