crush

play

verb \ˈkrəsh\

Definition of crush

transitive verb
1a : to squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure crush grapesb : to squeeze together into a mass She crushed her clothes into a bag.
2 : hug, embrace She crushed her child to her breast.
3 : to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding crush rock
4a : to suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weightb : to oppress or burden grievously crushed by debtc : to subdue completely The rebellion was crushed.
5 : crowd, push were crushed into the elevator
6 archaic : drink
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : crash
2 : to become crushed The stewed tomatoes crush easily.
3 : to advance with or as if with crushing The crowd crushed ruthlessly toward the exit.

crushable

play \ˈkrə-shə-bəl\ adjective

crusher

noun

crushingly

adverb

See crush defined for English-language learners

See crush defined for kids

Examples of crush in a Sentence

Unfortunately some of the flowers got crushed when we were moving them.
The bicycle was crushed under the truck's tires.
The machine crushes the cans so that they can be stored until they are recycled.
Her arm was crushed in the accident.
Crush the nuts and sprinkle them on top of the cake.
The rocks were crushed into dust.

Origin and Etymology of crush

Middle English crusshen, from Anglo-French croissir, croistre, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Low German krossen to crush

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

crush

noun

Definition of crush

1 : an act of crushing
2 : the quantity of material crushed
3a : a crowding together (as of people)b : crowd, mob; especially : a crowd of people pressing against one another
4 : an intense and usually passing infatuation have a crush on someone; also : the object of infatuation

crushproof

play \ˈkrəsh-ˌprüf\ adjective

See crush defined for English-language learners

Examples of crush in a Sentence

Yesterday I saw my old high school crush for the first time in five years.
The crush in the train station is at its worst during the afternoon rush hour.
Outside the hotel stood a crush of reporters waiting for her arrival.

Origin and Etymology of crush

see ¹crush

NEW!

First Known Use: 1599

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of crush

crowd, throng, horde, crush, mob mean an assembled multitude. crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. a crowd gathered throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. a throng of reporters a horde of shoppers crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort. a crush of fans mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. an angry mob

CRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

crush

play

verb

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

: to press or squeeze (something) so hard that it breaks or loses its shape
: to break (something) into a powder or very small pieces by pressing, pounding, or grinding it
: to defeat (a person or group that opposes you) by using a lot of force

crush

noun

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

: a strong feeling of romantic love for someone that is usually not expressed and does not last a long time
: the person on whom you have a crush
: a crowd of people who are pressed close together

CRUSH Defined for Kids

crush

play

verb \ˈkrəsh\

Definition of crush for Students

crushed

;

crushing

1 : to squeeze together so as to change or destroy the natural shape or condition We crush grapes for their juice.
2 : to break into fine pieces by pressure The machine crushes stone.
3 : overwhelm 1 crush an enemy
4 : to defeat in spirit The injury crushed her hopes of winning.

crush

play

noun

Definition of crush for Students

1 : a tightly packed crowd He got caught in the crush of holiday shoppers.
2 : a foolish or very strong liking : infatuation Libby has a crush on a lifeguard named Freddie. — Judy Blume, Sheila the Great