punch

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpənch 

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

ˈpənch-ləs 

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• perforation
• pinhole
• pinprick
• prick
• puncture
• stab

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (2)

• cogency
• effectiveness
• force
• forcefulness
• impact
• point

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

Rodriguez punches Smith and slams his head against the floor, the video footage shows. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

Casper had punched a T.D.F. member in the face for getting drunk, leaving him with a swollen jaw. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The husband of the woman who was slapped got involved, and George allegedly punched him in the neck. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024

Nguyen reached down to pick up his shot glass and Vang punched him once, striking him in the shoulder and face, the complaint continued. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2024

During the march, prosecutors wrote, Laube punched the journalist several times before a counter-protestor used pepper spray to momentarily disperse the crowd. —Sean Emery, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024

Laube pleaded guilty last year to a misdemeanor charge for repeatedly punching a journalist — identified only as F.T. — who was covering the Huntington Beach rally. —Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

The Star previously reported on Robinson in 2019 when he, then 52-years-old, was charged with third degree assault for allegedly body slamming a woman to the pavement and punching her at least 30 times during an alleged road rage incident. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Earlier, the two big guys punch their way through the pyramids in Cairo as tourists and locals scramble away from falling rocks. —Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Noun

Get The Recipe 09 of 12 Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch Recipe This sweet-and-sour punch has got some spice. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

The affidavit says punches and kicks were exchanged between the two men as bystanders attempted to separate them. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

He’s been the explosive perimeter scorer as part of a 1-2 punch with burly March Madness star DJ Burns Jr. in the paint. —NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024

Losing Its Grip: The group, which was delivered a one-two punch of scandals in 2023, is facing competition from a new trade group that was started by two prominent real estate agents. —Gregory Schmidt, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Through additional witnesses and surveillance video, police identified the man who delivered the punch as Pheng Vang, 38, of St. Paul, according to the complaint against Vang. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2024

But East Coast quakes can still pack a punch – its rocks are better at spreading earthquake energy across far distances. —Jennifer Peltz, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024

Lentil Salad With Pickled Rhubarb, Chevre and Arugula Pickled rhubarb gives this salad a sweet-sour punch to complement the earthy lentils and creamy goat cheese (chevre). —Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024

The decision is aimed at providing a one-two punch to: help lower-income customers who have been particularly hard hit by soaring utility bills across the state and, by reducing electricity rates, encourage all utility customers regardless of income to adopt electrification measures in their homes. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing punch

• beat (someone) to the punch
• center punch
• milk punch
• (as) pleased as punch
• one-two punch
• punch someone's lights out
• punch up
• rabbit punch
• Sunday punch
• sucker punch
• pack a punch/wallop
• punch bag
• punch card
• pull a punch
• punch-drunk syndrome
• punch-drunk
• planter's punch
• punch bowl
• punch holes in
• punch in
• punch list
• punch press
• punch line
• punch out
• pre-punch
• to the punch

Kids Definition

punch

1 of 4 verb

ˈpənch 

1

a

: prod entry 1 sense 1, poke

b

: drive entry 1 sense 1a, herd

punch cattle

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

ˈpənch 

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

a biopsy punch