push-button

adjective

push-but·ton | \ ˈpu̇sh-ˌbə-tᵊn

Definition of push-button

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

noun

Definition of push button (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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: Noun

Via Bluetooth connection, users push buttons on the watch to control the phone’s camera and music functions. — Ese Erheriene, WSJ, "Old-School Watchmakers Get Smart to Counter Apple," 17 Nov. 2018 Instead of a lever, the XLR has an electronic push button door release which didn’t work without power. — Gary Gastelu, Fox News, "75-year-old Cleveland man gets trapped in car for 13 hours after power locks fail," 12 Sep. 2018 But, much like the artist itself, the film remains frustratingly opaque—seemingly made more to push buttons and raise questions than to offer insight or perspective. — Corey Seymour, Vogue, "3 Newly Released Rock Documentaries Might Be Your Cup of Escapist Tea This Weekend," 28 Sep. 2018 After pulling on the door didn’t open it, Lindsey said her husband started pushing buttons on the machine, eventually pressing pause followed by power. — Allyson Chiu, The Seattle Times, "Her 3-year-old was locked in a washing machine filling with water. Now she’s warning parents.," 17 July 2018 Cardboard protrusions on the motorbike controller can push buttons on the Joy-Cons to activate items, braking, and drifting. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "You can now play Mario Kart 8 with Labo’s cardboard motorbike controller," 26 June 2018 Why primary elections have lower turnout than general elections The act of voting takes just a few minutes, standing in the isolation of the machine, pushing buttons before stepping back out into the real world. — Jonathan Lai, Philly.com, "What we can learn from low Pa. primary election turnout, and why it matters that just 1 in 6 Philly voters showed up," 21 May 2018 Roseanne Barr has made a career out of pushing buttons, but the comedian has stepped too far over the line this time with a racist tweet that has already had serious consequences not just for the star, but also ABC. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Here's How Much Roseanne Barr Stands to Lose From Her Racist Tweet Scandal," 29 May 2018 With a locking flip lid and a one-handed push button, your little one won’t forget to constantly hydrate throughout the day. — Sunset, "10 Favorite Kids’ Water Bottles," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'push-button.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.