button

1 of 2

noun

but·​ton ˈbə-tᵊn 

often attributive

1

a

: a small knob or disk secured to an article (as of clothing) and used as a fastener by passing it through a buttonhole or loop

b

: a usually circular metal or plastic badge bearing a stamped design or printed slogan

campaign button

2

: something that resembles a button: such as

a

: any of various parts or growths of a plant or of an animal: such as

(1)

: bud

(2)

: an immature whole mushroom

especially : button mushroom

(3)

: the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle

b

: a small globule of metal remaining after fusion (as in assaying)

c

: a guard on the tip of a fencing foil

3

a

: push button

b

: something (such as a push button) that has the real or symbolic capability of initiating a catastrophe (such as a nuclear attack)

has his finger on the button

c

: a hidden sensitivity that can be manipulated to produce a desired response

knows how to push my buttons

d

: a usually box-shaped computer icon that initiates a specific software function

4

: the point of the chin especially as a target for a knockout blow

buttonless

ˈbə-tᵊn-ləs 

adjective

button

2 of 2

verb

buttoned; buttoning ˈbət-niŋ 

ˈbə-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to furnish or decorate with buttons

2

a

: to pass (a button) through a buttonhole or loop

b

: to close or fasten with buttons

—often used with up

button up your overcoat

3

a

: to close (the lips) to prevent speech

button your lip

b

: to close or seal tightly

—usually used with up

button up the house for winter

intransitive verb

: to have buttons for fastening

this dress buttons at the back

buttoner

ˈbət-nər

ˈbə-tᵊn-ər 

noun

Phrases

on the button

: exactly

arrived at noon on the button

also : exactly on target : on the nose

the estimate was right on the button

Examples of button in a Sentence

Noun

a dress with buttons down the back

I lost a button on my jacket.

He took off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt.

Will you please push the ‘play’ button on the CD player?

With a fax machine, you can send a document across the country with the touch of a button.

If the information on the registration form is correct, click the ‘OK’ button.

Verb

He rarely buttons the top button on his shirt.

Will you button the baby's jacket for her?

The skirt buttons on the side.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That’s right: Jane-Ann’s torso boasts six protrusions in a vertical line just to the left of center, where the buttons of a women’s dress shirt are traditionally placed. —Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 15 May 2025

This one-piece offers a classy twist on the typical white swimsuit thanks to its chic black piping and polished silver buttons. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 15 May 2025

Verb

But that's all been buttoned up by the fourth episode of season 2 (streaming May 15, when the series goes to dropping weekly). —EW.com, 13 May 2025

The top, which has a chest pocket, can be buttoned and tucked into the bottoms or unbuttoned with a tank layered beneath it for a breezier look. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English boton, from Anglo-French butun rose hip, stud, from buter to thrust — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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

Phrases Containing button

• (as) cute as a button
• bachelor's button
• back button
• belly button
• button bar
• button-down
• button it
• button man
• button mushroom
• button nose
• button one's lip/lips
• button quail
• button snakeroot
• campaign button
• hot button
• mescal button
• panic button
• peyote button
• push button
• push/hit/press the panic button
• snooze button

Rhymes for button

• clutton
• glutton
• mutton
• witan
• unbutton

Kids Definition

button

1 of 2 noun

but·​ton ˈbət-ᵊn 

1

a

: a small knob or disk used for holding parts of a garment together or as an ornament

b

: a usually round badge bearing a design or slogan

a campaign button

2

: something (as a small or young mushroom) that resembles a button

3

: push button

also : a computer image that resembles a push button in appearance and function

button

2 of 2 verb

buttoned; buttoning ˈbət-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to close or fasten with buttons

buttoner

-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun

Medical Definition

button

noun

but·​ton ˈbət-ᵊn 

: something that resembles a small knob or disk: such as

a

: cotyledon sense 1

b

: the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle