pinched; pinching; pinches
Definition of pinch
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument
b : to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching
c : to squeeze or compress painfully
d : to cause physical or mental pain to
e(1) : to cause to appear thin, haggard, or shrunken
(2) : to cause to shrivel or wither
4 : to sail too close to the wind
2 : to be miserly or closefisted
3 : to press painfully
pinch pennies
: to practice strict economy
pinch
nounDefinition of pinch (Entry 2 of 3)
b : as much as may be taken between the finger and thumb
a pinch of snuff
c : a very small amount
3 : a marked thinning of a vein or bed
pinch
adjectiveDefinition of pinch (Entry 3 of 3)
1 : substitute pinch runner
2 : hit by a pinch hitter
a pinch homer
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Time Traveler for pinch
The first known use of pinch was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century