push-button

1 of 2

adjective

push-but·​ton ˈpu̇sh-ˌbə-tᵊn How to pronounce push-button (audio)
1
: operated or done by means of push buttons
a push-button phone
2
: using or dependent on complex and more or less self-operating mechanisms that are put in operation by a simple act comparable to pushing a button
push-button warfare

push button

2 of 2

noun

: a small button or knob that when pushed operates something especially by closing an electric circuit

Examples of push-button in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
At its simplest, a wind phone is a rotary or push-button phone located in a secluded spot in nature, usually within a booth-type structure and often next to a chair or bench. Taryn Lindhorst, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 Cruise co-founder Kyle Vogt shows off the push-button opening of the laterally opening doors on the new Cruise Origin, a fully autonomous passenger vehicle, in San Francisco, Jan. 21, 2020. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 23 July 2024
Noun
On the interest side, banks pull levers and push buttons to make the best of any rate environment. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2024 The push button radio start-stop is nearly hidden behind the steering wheel. James Raia, The Mercury News, 14 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for push-button 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'push-button.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of push-button was circa 1874

Dictionary Entries Near push-button

push broom

push-button

push button

Cite this Entry

“Push-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/push-button. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

push-button

1 of 2 adjective
1
: operated or done by means of push buttons
a push-button phone
2
: using or dependent on complicated automatic machines
push-button warfare
a push-button civilization

push button

2 of 2 noun
: a small button or knob that when pushed operates something especially by closing an electric circuit

More from Merriam-Webster on push-button

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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