push

1 of 3

verb

pushed; pushing; pushes

transitive verb

1
a
: to press against with force in order to drive or impel
b
: to move or endeavor to move away or ahead by steady pressure without striking
2
a
: to thrust forward, downward, or outward
b
: to cause to increase : raise
push prices to record levels
c
: to try to move beyond or expand
push one's limits
d
: to hit (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing compare pull
3
a
: to press or urge forward to completion
b
: to urge or press the advancement, adoption, or practice of
pushed a bill in the legislature
especially : to make aggressive efforts to sell
we're pushing ham this week
c
: to engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics)
4
: to bear hard upon so as to involve in difficulty
poverty pushed them to the breaking point
5
: to approach in age or number
grandmother must be pushing 75

intransitive verb

1
: to press against something with steady force in or as if in order to impel
2
: to press forward energetically against opposition
3
: to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end
pushing for higher wages

push

2 of 3

noun

1
: a vigorous effort to attain an end : drive:
a
: a military assault or offensive
b
: an advance that overcomes obstacles
c
: a campaign to promote a product
2
: a time for action : emergency
3
a
: an act of pushing : shove
b(1)
: a physical force steadily applied in a direction away from the body exerting it
(2)
: a nonphysical pressure : influence, urge
c
: vigorous enterprise or energy
4
a
: an exertion of influence to promote another's interests
b
: stimulation to activity : impetus

PUSH

3 of 3

abbreviation

People United to Serve Humanity
Phrases
push one's luck
: to take an increasing risk
push comes to shove
: a decisive moment comes
backed down when push came to shove

Example Sentences

Verb Do you want to push the shopping cart? He slowly pushed the door open. She pushed back her chair and stood up. She pushed him aside and marched into the boss's office. He pushed her out of the way. He pushed me into the table. He was pushed off the sidewalk into the street. She pushed her wet hair back from her face. The bulldozer pushed the rubble over the edge of the pit. No matter how hard I pushed, I couldn't move the boulder. Noun an unprecedented push to pass stronger gun control measures See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Thousands of nurses recently went on strike in New York City to push for better staffing as hundreds of nursing roles remain unfilled, stretching nurses to their limits. Elana Berkowitz, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2023 That dynamic has many in Mexico wondering: Why push for changes that could raise doubts about the legitimacy of an election his party is favored to win? Natalie Kitroeff, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2023 Gilmore hit a tough turnaround jumper with 7:13 left to spark the run; Hepburn hit two free throws to push the lead to eight; hit a tough turnaround jumper for a 57-47 lead with 5:01 left; and fed Gilmore for a lay-in with 4:20 left. Jeff Potrykus, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2023 Winter is when vines go dormant, lose their leaves and store up energy to push out a bud for the next year. David Schechter, Haley Rush, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2023 Past research led by Nobre showed that a cycle of warming, drying and forest shrinkage could push the Amazon to a minimum threshold of tree cover, below which the forest would irreversibly degrade into a simpler grassland habitat. Emma Bryce, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2023 One year after the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. escalates pressure on Russia and Ukraine’s leaders push for faster aid. ABC News, 19 Feb. 2023 Just come to a stop, hold the brake down with one foot and push the accelerator to the floor with the other. Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2023 The judge decided to push back the trial to May, and Tuesday's competency hearing was postponed until March 6, the date Schabusiness' trial was supposed to begin, WBAY reported. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
The back-to-the-office push, in many cases, stems from a CEO’s personal desire to go back to 2019, before the pandemic. Deborah Lovich, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023 Credit companies are taking an increasingly dim view of the legislative push by Israel’s far-right cabinet that took office late last year. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023 Though Civica had some high-profile partners such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, insiders knew that many of the industry’s middlemen would resist the push. David Wainer, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2023 The Russian push for Bakhmut reflects the Kremlin’s broader struggle to achieve battlefield momentum. Mstylav Chernov, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2023 The push to recruit even more technology experts highlights concerns about how companies may use data and algorithms to target consumers with highly personalized offers, recommendations and information that may entrench a company’s dominance. Brian Fung, CNN, 6 Mar. 2023 The Russian push for Bakhmut reflects the Kremlin's broader struggle to achieve battlefield momentum. Mstyslav Chernov, ajc, 6 Mar. 2023 State campaign finance records show last year, Singh donated $4 million to the ballot committee Reproductive Freedom For All, which led the push to pass Proposal 3 in Michigan. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2023 Russell has missed four consecutive games after stepping on Donte DiVincenzo’s foot during an inbounds pass early in the Lakers’ win over Golden State to start the post-All-Star push. Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'push.' 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

Verb

Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike — more at felt

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of push was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near push

Cite this Entry

“Push.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/push. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

push

1 of 2 verb
1
: to press against with force in order to drive
2
: to force forward, downward, or outward
3
: to go or make go ahead
push the job to completion
4
: to press hard against so as to involve in difficulty
was pushed for time
5
: to engage in the sale of (illegal drugs)

push

2 of 2 noun
1
: a strong advance against obstacles
2
: a sudden thrust : shove
3
: a steady applying of force in a direction away from the body from which it comes

More from Merriam-Webster on push

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