button

1 of 2

noun

but·​ton ˈbə-tᵊn How to pronounce button (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: a small knob or disk secured to an article (as of clothing) and used as a fastener by passing it through a buttonhole or loop
b
: a usually circular metal or plastic badge bearing a stamped design or printed slogan
campaign button
2
: something that resembles a button: such as
a
: any of various parts or growths of a plant or of an animal: such as
(1)
: bud
(2)
: an immature whole mushroom
especially : button mushroom
(3)
: the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle
b
: a small globule of metal remaining after fusion (as in assaying)
c
: a guard on the tip of a fencing foil
3
b
: something (such as a push button) that has the real or symbolic capability of initiating a catastrophe (such as a nuclear attack)
has his finger on the button
c
: a hidden sensitivity that can be manipulated to produce a desired response
knows how to push my buttons
d
: a usually box-shaped computer icon that initiates a specific software function
4
: the point of the chin especially as a target for a knockout blow
buttonless adjective

button

2 of 2

verb

buttoned; buttoning ˈbət-niŋ How to pronounce button (audio)
ˈbə-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to furnish or decorate with buttons
2
a
: to pass (a button) through a buttonhole or loop
b
: to close or fasten with buttons
often used with up
button up your overcoat
3
a
: to close (the lips) to prevent speech
button your lip
b
: to close or seal tightly
usually used with up
button up the house for winter

intransitive verb

: to have buttons for fastening
this dress buttons at the back
buttoner
ˈbət-nər How to pronounce button (audio)
ˈbə-tᵊn-ər
noun
Phrases
on the button
: exactly
arrived at noon on the button
also : exactly on target : on the nose
the estimate was right on the button

Examples of button in a Sentence

Noun a dress with buttons down the back I lost a button on my jacket. He took off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt. Will you please push the ‘play’ button on the CD player? With a fax machine, you can send a document across the country with the touch of a button. If the information on the registration form is correct, click the ‘OK’ button. Verb He rarely buttons the top button on his shirt. Will you button the baby's jacket for her? The skirt buttons on the side.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But as Rodgers closed the song with a flourish in her ethereal head voice, McEntire hit her button to bring the emotive songstress onto her team. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 On March 12, fresh from the Oscars, Blunt attended the SXSW premiere of her upcoming rom-com with Ryan Gosling, The Fall Guy, in a cropped black-and-white sweater set with large round buttons on the top and structured shoulder pads on the jacket. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Gaunt and weakened by cancer at 42, his father reached for the buttons on Kerr’s shirt, fiddled with them and said something about getting ready to catch the plane to their cabin in the woods. Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 One dress was a strapless floor-length gown adorned with intricate button detailing, elegantly paired with a sheer white veil. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Step 1: Getting Started Follow this link to the Jackpot City landing page and click the bright orange Sign Up button. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 After four years of double-tapping the side of the Pencil to switch between writing and erasing, please just give me a button, Apple. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 9 Mar. 2024 Our kids loved opening and shutting all the doors and cabinets of their play kitchen and pushing the button to make ice come out of the machine. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 Purchasing products from online stores continues to become easier as new services are created to shorten the time between clicking the check-out button and receiving a confirmation that your product has been bought. Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
It can be worn as a comfy layer or on its own when buttoned up like a classic long-sleeve top. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2024 Billie Eilish is buttoned up at this year’s Oscars ceremony. Anna Tingley, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 The prosecutor—the main villain—wore a suit and kept his jacket buttoned, while the hero, Mark Godsey, kept his jacket unbuttoned. Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 More buttoned up is 100 Princes Street, another first in the country from hotelier Red Carnation. Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2024 Enlarge / Astrobotic's Peregrine lander is buttoned up for launch inside the Vulcan rocket's payload fairing. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023 The specimens are buttoned up inside an armored capsule that weighs about 100 pounds (46 kilograms), currently mounted to the side of a mothership about the size of an SUV. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023 To style this with athletic wear pair your workout top or sports bra with a suit buttoned closed or open, this depends on if your pants are high-waisted. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Jan. 2024 The model Jourdan Dunn wore a sheer black paneled gown with a velvet train buttoned to her shoulder by Thaihuy. Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023

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

Etymology

Noun

Middle English boton, from Anglo-French butun rose hip, stud, from buter to thrust — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of button was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near button

Cite this Entry

“Button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/button. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

button

1 of 2 noun
but·​ton ˈbət-ᵊn How to pronounce button (audio)
1
a
: a small knob or disk used for holding parts of a garment together or as an ornament
b
: a usually round badge bearing a design or slogan
a campaign button
2
: something (as a small or young mushroom) that resembles a button
3
: push button
also : a computer image that resembles a push button in appearance and function

button

2 of 2 verb
buttoned; buttoning ˈbət-niŋ How to pronounce button (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to close or fasten with buttons
buttoner
-nər How to pronounce button (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

Medical Definition

button

noun
but·​ton ˈbət-ᵊn How to pronounce button (audio)
: something that resembles a small knob or disk: as
a
: the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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