Push (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used with object)

to press upon or against (a person or thing): He pushed the doorbell a few times and heard it ring.You have to push the door open, not pull it.
to move (something or someone) in a specified way by exerting force; shove; drive: Just push the footstool aside if it's in your way.
to make (one's way) by thrusting obstacles aside: She pushed her way through the crowd.
to cause to extend or project; thrust: She pushed her arms into the robe's sleeves and straightened the lapels.
to press or urge to some action or course: His mother pushed him to get a job.
to press (an action, proposal, etc.) with energy and insistence: Legislators are redoubling their efforts to push a bill through Congress that would provide aid to struggling restaurant owners.
to carry (an action or thing) toward a conclusion or extreme: She pushed the project to completion.You're pushing your analogy to the point of absurdity.
to press the adoption, use, sale, etc., of: The sales associates here are aggressive and push inferior merchandise on customers.
to press or bear hard upon, as in dealings with someone: The prosecutor pushed him for an answer.
to put into difficulties because of the lack of something specified (usually followed by for): I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm really pushed for time.
to peddle (illicit drugs).
to be approaching a specific age, speed, or the like: The maestro is pushing ninety-two.
to modify (film processing) to compensate for underexposure.

verb (used without object)

to exert a thrusting force upon something: Even if you push hard on the shelf, there's no give, thanks to its sturdy construction.
to use steady force in moving a thing away; shove: If you push while I steer, I think we can get the car out of the rut.
to make one's way with effort or persistence, as against difficulty or opposition: She pushed through the trees and came to a small clearing.
to extend or project; thrust: The point of land pushed far out into the sea.
to put forth vigorous or persistent efforts: If you really push, you might be a partner in the law firm within a few years.
to sell illicit drugs.
to move when pushed: We swapped that heavy sliding door for a swinging door that pushes easily.

noun

the act of pushing; a shove or thrust: She gave the toy car a quick push, and it sailed off the ramp.
a vigorous onset or effort: He didn't get the start he wanted in the race and had to make a push to catch up.
a determined advance against opposition, obstacles, etc.: One last push, and we'll be finished with the project.
a vigorous and determined military attack or campaign: The big push began in April, when the troops were all gathered and equipped.
the pressure of circumstances, activities, etc.
push notification.
persevering energy; enterprise: You have the push, but you also need to sustain that energy for political commitment.
a crowd or company of people.
dismissal from a job; sack.
a gang of hoodlums.

adjective

relating to or being a device, part, etc., that is powered, operated, or characterized by pushing: In push mode, the execution and delivery of the Web view are asynchronous, so the Web view can be returned to the client later.A small lawn can be tended with a push mower, but this quickly becomes impractical for larger ones.

Verb Phrases

to treat contemptuously and unfairly; bully: She's not the kind of person who can be pushed around.
push back,

to make the date or time of (an event) later than originally planned.
to oppose or resist a plan, action, statement, etc.: The board members are starting to push back against criticism from the public.

to go away; depart: We stopped in Denver for the night and were ready to push off again the following morning.
to press forward; continue; proceed: The pioneers, despite overwhelming obstacles, pushed on across the plains.

Idioms

luck (def. 12).
when or if matters are ultimately confronted or resolved; when or if a problem must be faced; in a crucial situation: If push comes to shove, the government will impose quotas on imports.

verb

to apply steady force to (something) in order to move it
to thrust (one's way) through something, such as a crowd, by force
to apply oneself vigorously (to achieving a task, plan, etc)
to encourage or urge (a person) to some action, decision, etc
to be an advocate or promoter (of)
to use one's influence to help (a person)
to bear upon (oneself or another person) in order to achieve more effort, better results, etc

to hit (a ball) with a stiff pushing stroke
to sell (narcotic drugs) illegally
(esp of geographical features) to reach or extend
to overdevelop (a photographic film), usually by the equivalent of up to two stops, to compensate for underexposure or increase contrast
to be dead and buried

noun

AllDefiNitions