push-up

noun

ˈpu̇sh-ˌəp 

: a conditioning exercise performed in a prone position by raising and lowering the body with the straightening and bending of the arms while keeping the back straight and supporting the body on the hands and toes

Examples of push-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In many cases, inmates’ exercise takes place inside the cell itself: push-ups, sit-ups or simply walking in circles. —María Santana, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026

Yet doing a push-up requires you to support up to 75% of your body mass, according to a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 24 Mar. 2026

Loop-style resistance bands are usable for standing knee tucks, bicycle crunches, side planks, spiderman push-ups and other core exercises. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026

Along with burpees, push-ups, and deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats are among the exercises that, honestly, lots of gym-goers hate. —Jenny McCoy, Outside, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for push-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

push-up

noun

ˈpu̇sh-ˌəp

: an exercise performed while lying facedown by raising and lowering the body with the straightening and bending of the arms