Definition of squeeze
squeezed
;squeezing
transitive verb
1a : to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compressb : to extract or emit under pressurec : to force or thrust by compression
2a (1) : to get by extortion (2) : to deprive by extortionb : to cause economic hardship toc : to reduce the amount of squeezes profits
3 : to crowd into a limited area
4 : to gain or win by a narrow margin
5 : to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6 : to score by means of a squeeze play
intransitive verb
1 : to give way before pressure
2 : to exert pressure; also : to practice extortion or oppression
squeezer
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of squeeze in a Sentence
He lightly squeezed her hand and smiled.
Gently squeeze the fruit to see if it's ripe.
Hold it securely but don't squeeze too hard.
He squeezed the juice from the orange.
Recent Examples of squeeze from the Web
-
It was presented in the small, black-box Fifth-Third Theater at the Aronoff Center, with the audience squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder on seats on risers.
-
Imposing temporary administration could also squeeze credit to small and medium-sized business, threaten inflation and harm the investment climate, according to their statement.
-
Squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel. Reshape the brush head.
-
Knight reached between his legs and squeezed, which – who knows?
-
Who knows whether this juicer will catch on or completely bomb like the $400 Juicero, which uses packs of cold-pressed juice that are easier to squeeze by hand than by using the machine itself.
-
Madeleine Winer/Courier-Journal/USA TODAY Network Lots of personality is squeezed into Brandon Smrz’s 19th-floor bachelor pad overlooking downtown Louisville.
-
Persistently low oil prices could squeeze the marginal price advantage — currently around $2.50 — that West Texas intermediate, the American benchmark, has over the international benchmark, Brent crude.
-
Perhaps a few of them will squeeze a memoir out of their Marat/Sade experiences, but that is a large price to pay for the loss of your soul, a dank spot in history, and becoming a national laughingstock.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squeeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of squeeze
alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwȳsan; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps
squeeze
Definition of squeeze
1a : an act or instance of squeezing : compressionb : handclasp; also : embrace
2a : a quantity squeezed out from something a squeeze of lemonb : a group crowded together : crowd
3 : a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
4 : a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages
5 : a forced discard in bridge
6 : squeeze play
7 slang : a romantic partner she's my main squeeze
Examples of squeeze in a Sentence
Fifty guests will be a bit of a squeeze.
It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can all fit.
Recent Examples of squeeze from the Web
-
To avoid straining your hands with everyday tasks, switch to pumps for lotions, toothpaste, shampoos, and conditioners, and use the palm of your hand to pump instead of squeeze containers.
-
The financial squeeze is being felt at all four of the campuses — Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis and Rolla.
-
The Boone Grove senior first baseman put down a squeeze bunt Wednesday with one out in the 23rd to score Jessica Mayer, lifting the Wolves to a 3-2 win against Ashley Gordish and Bishop Noll.
-
Faber-Cournane also scored the game's only run on a suicide squeeze bunt by freshman third baseman Brooklyn Campos in the top of the seventh.
-
Initially, Willits dropped a squeeze bunt that scored Riley Kasper.
-
With the squeeze tubes, there’s more time to reach needy families, MacPherson said.
-
Scatter each with cilantro and then a squeeze of lemon juice.
-
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has warned that U.K. consumers are in for a challenging time, and economists expect further evidence of the worsening squeeze next week.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squeeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of squeeze
1611
SQUEEZE Defined for English Language Learners
squeeze
playDefinition of squeeze for English Language Learners
-
: to press together the parts and especially the opposite sides of (something)
-
: to get or remove (something) by squeezing something
-
: to pull back on (a gun's trigger) with your finger
squeeze
Definition of squeeze for English Language Learners
-
: a situation in which people or things are crowded together
-
: an act of squeezing something
-
: a small amount that is gotten or removed from something (such as a piece of fruit) by squeezing it
SQUEEZE Defined for Kids
Learn More about squeeze
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squeeze Spanish Central: Translation of squeeze Nglish: Translation of squeeze for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of squeeze for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up squeeze? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!