punch

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a tool usually in the form of a short rod of steel that is variously shaped at one end for different operations (such as forming, perforating, embossing, or cutting)
b
: a short tapering steel rod for driving the heads of nails below a surface
c
: a steel die faced with a letter in relief that is forced into a softer metal to form an intaglio matrix from which foundry type is cast
d
: a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as in paper or cardboard)
e
: a medical instrument used especially to perforate tissue or remove a small, round segment of tissue (such as skin)
a biopsy punch
2
: a hole or notch from a perforating operation

punch

2 of 4

verb

punched; punching; punches

transitive verb

1
a
: prod, poke
b
: drive, herd
punching cattle
2
a
: to strike with a forward thrust especially of the fist
b
: to drive or push forcibly by or as if by a punch
c
: to hit (a ball) with less than a full swing
3
: to emboss, cut, perforate, or make with or as if with a punch
4
a
: to push down so as to produce a desired result
punch buttons on a jukebox
b
: to hit or press down the operating mechanism of
punch a typewriter
c
: to insert a time card into (a time clock)
d
: to produce by or as if by punching keys
punch out a tune on the piano
e
: to enter (something, such as data) by punching keys
5
: to give emphasis to

intransitive verb

1
: to perform the action of punching something
2
: to move or push forward especially by a sudden forceful effort
punched into enemy territory
puncher noun

punch

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: the action of punching
2
: a quick blow with or as if with the fist
3
: effective energy or forcefulness
a story that packs a punch
political punch
punchless adjective

punch

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a hot or cold drink that is usually a combination of hard liquor, wine, or beer and nonalcoholic beverages
also : a drink that is a mixture of nonalcoholic beverages
Phrases
to the punch
: to the first blow or to decisive action
usually used with beat

Examples of punch in a Sentence

Verb He punched me in the face. She punched him on the chin. He quickly punched the buttons on his telephone. She punched an opening through the dough with her finger. The tool punches holes in paper.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The victim attempted to disperse the melee when Hardy attempted to punch him and missed. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 Lyles And Coleman To Repeat Head-To-Head In The Mens 60m, World Record Watch In The Women’s 60m About two weeks ago at the USATF Indoor Championships, Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman punched their tickets to Glasgow. Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The Wildcats withstood an early barrage and went into the final period even, but Fond du Lac Springs punched home the eventual game-winner with just under seven minutes remaining for a 2-1 victory in the Division 2 semifinals of the Wisconsin boys hockey state tournament Thursday afternoon. Jim Hoehn, Twin Cities, 29 Feb. 2024 Did Taylor Swift's dad punch an Australian photographer? USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 How many times does a player have to get into something where they get punched or they get pushed or they get taunted right in their face? CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024 An assault charge was originally filed against Stewart, 22, for punching Eubanks, 27, in the face during an altercation in the parking lot of the Suns’ Footprint Arena in downtown Phoenix last week. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 Police reported that the actor allegedly punched a nurse in the head and shoved another in the face before pushing the phlebotomist into a table. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Growing pains included a fractured hand caused by punching a locker in frustration after being dismissed first ball in a T20 in the Caribbean. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Noun
Office owners were then hit with a one-two punch as vacancy rates hit record highs due to the staying power of the hybrid work trend. Will Daniel, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 The duo’s one-two punch was illustrated last week, when Iriafen recorded 22 points and 20 rebounds on Feb. 25 to clinch a share of the Pac-12 title with a win over Arizona State, then Brink put up 25 points and 24 rebounds four days later at Oregon State to win the conference outright. Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Safavieh American Homes Collection Samantha Vintage Console Table Small pieces of furniture can go a long way in updating a space, and this small console packs a big style punch. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2024 In 1980, Freedom Fighter (recently rereleased), marked the mercurial period and packed a powerful punch that united the two WITCH camps. Tracy Kawalik, SPIN, 5 Mar. 2024 While Lewis likes to prepare the punch with Guinness’ West Indies Porter, it can also be made with any Guinness stout or porter of choice. Lelani Lewis, Saveur, 29 Feb. 2024 Swapping brown rice for white rice is often touted as a great way to eat more fiber, but that sub doesn’t quite deliver the nutritional punch that’s promised, Harbstreet says. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 27 Feb. 2024 The four-track body of work boasts haunting build-ups, twirling and tinkering synths, melodious tunes, nightmarish tones and beats so hard that listeners can feel the punch of the bass in their bodies. Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The medium-sized Dover Backpack packs a lot of punch and is also a favorite of Yauger. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pounce, punche, probably alteration of ponson, ponchon puncheon

Verb

Middle English pouncen, punchen to emboss, pierce, probably from pounce, noun

Noun (3)

perhaps from Hindi & Urdu pā̃c five, from Sanskrit pañca; akin to Greek pente five; from its originally having five ingredients — more at five

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of punch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near punch

Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

punch

1 of 4 verb
1
2
a
: to strike with the fist
b
: to press, strike, or cause to work by or as if by punching
punch a typewriter
3
: to pierce or stamp with a punch
4
: to enter (as data) by punching keys
puncher noun

punch

2 of 4 noun
1
: a quick blow with or as if with the fist
2
: effective force
the team was well trained but lacked punch

punch

3 of 4 noun
1
a
: a tool for piercing, cutting, or stamping or for driving a nail
b
: a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as in paper or cardboard)
2
: a hole or notch made by a punch

punch

4 of 4 noun
: a drink made of various and usually many ingredients and often flavored with wine or liquor
Etymology

Verb

Middle English pouncen, punchen "emboss, pierce," probably from pounce "punching tool, dagger, talon"

Noun

perhaps from a word in Hindi & Urdu (the official language of Pakistan) pā̃c "five"; so called from the fact that it originally had five ingredients

Medical Definition

punch

noun
: a medical instrument used especially to perforate tissue or remove a small, round segment of tissue (such as skin)
a biopsy punch

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