Pinch (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used with object)

to squeeze or compress between the finger and thumb, the teeth, the jaws of an instrument, or the like.
to constrict or squeeze painfully, as a tight shoe does.
to cramp within narrow bounds or quarters: The crowd pinched him into a corner.
to render (the face, body, etc.) unnaturally constricted or drawn, as pain or distress does: Years of hardship had pinched her countenance beyond recognition.
to affect with sharp discomfort or distress, as cold, hunger, or need does.
to straiten in means or circumstances: The depression pinched them.
to stint (a person, family, etc.) in allowance of money, food, or the like: They were severely pinched by the drought.
to hamper or inconvenience by the lack of something specified: The builders were pinched by the shortage of good lumber.
to stint the supply or amount of (a thing).
to put a pinch or small quantity of (a powder, spice, etc.) into something.
to roll or slide (a heavy object) with leverage from a pinch bar.
Slang.

to move two or more fingers toward or away from each other on (a touchscreen) in order to execute a command (often followed by in or out): Zoom in by pinching the screen.
to remove or shorten (buds or shoots) in order to produce a certain shape of the plant, improve the quality of the bloom or fruit, or increase the development of buds (often followed by out, off, or back).
to sail (a ship) so close into the wind that the sails shake slightly and the speed is reduced.
to press (a horse) to the point of exhaustion.

verb (used without object)

to exert a sharp or painful constricting force: This shoe pinches.
to cause sharp discomfort or distress: Their stomachs were pinched with hunger.
to economize unduly; stint oneself: They pinched and scraped for years to save money for a car.
to move the fingers toward or away from each other on a touchscreen (often followed by in or out): Pinching in will zoom in, and pinching out will zoom out.
Mining. (of a vein of ore or the like)

noun

the act of pinching; nip; squeeze.
as much of anything as can be taken up between the finger and thumb: a pinch of salt.
a very small quantity of anything: a pinch of pungent wit.
sharp or painful stress, as of hunger, need, or any trying circumstances: the pinch of conscience; to feel the pinch of poverty.
a situation or time of special stress, especially an emergency: A friend is someone who will stand by you in a pinch.
pinch bar.
a raid or an arrest.
a theft.
an act or instance of pinching a touchscreen.

Idioms

to stint on or be frugal or economical with expenditures; economize: I'll have to pinch pennies if I'm going to get through school.
salt¹ (def. 24).

verb

to press (something, esp flesh) tightly between two surfaces, esp between a finger and the thumb
to confine, squeeze, or painfully press (toes, fingers, etc) because of lack of space
to cause stinging pain to
to make thin or drawn-looking, as from grief, lack of food, etc
to provide (oneself or another person) with meagre allowances, amounts, etc
to live frugally because of meanness or to economize
to sail (a sailing vessel) so close to the wind that her sails begin to luff and she loses way
(of a vein of ore) to narrow or peter out
to remove the tips of (buds, shoots, etc) to correct or encourage growth
to steal or take without asking
to arrest

noun

a squeeze or sustained nip
the quantity of a substance, such as salt, that can be taken between a thumb and finger
a very small quantity
a critical situation; predicament; emergency
sharp, painful, or extreme stress, need, etc
See pinch bar
a robbery
a police raid or arrest
if absolutely necessary
without wholly believing; sceptically