punches; punched; punching
1
: to hit (someone or something) hard with your fist
Stop punching your sister!
He punched my face/nose/mouth/arm.
He punched me in the face/nose/mouth/eye/belly.
She punched him on the chin/jaw/arm.
2
chiefly US
: to press or push (something) with a short, quick movement
He quickly punched the buttons on his telephone.
3
: to make (a hole, dent, etc.) by pressing or cutting in, into, or through something
She punched an opening through the dough with her finger.
The tool punches holes in paper.
4
: to make a hole in (something, such as a ticket) by using a special tool
The conductor punched my railway pass.
plural punches
1
: a quick hit with your fist
throw/land a punch
kicks and punches
He gave me a punch in the nose. [=he punched me in the nose]
2
: energy or forcefulness
The team was well trained but lacked punch.
The last sentence in your essay needs more punch.
plural punches
: a drink made usually by mixing different fruit juices and often flavored with wine or liquor
a fruit punch
They plan to serve punch at the party.
a bowl/glass of punch
plural punches
1
: a tool or machine for cutting holes in paper, cardboard, leather, etc.
a paper punch
2
: a hole made by a cutting tool or machine
He got an extra punch on his discount card.
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/punch. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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