press
gb/pɹˈɛs/ us/pɹˈɛs/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Push firmly on something
To push on something firmly with your hand or finger.
Usage pattern:
to press [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'press' with 'push' without realizing 'press' often means applying steady force rather than moving something far.
Synonyms
push (More general term for moving something away from oneself; not always with firmness or intent.)
Antonyms
pull (Opposite action of drawing something towards oneself rather than pushing away or down.)
Collocations
press a button
|press the brake
|press the switch
|press gently
|press firmly
Themes
daily life
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Press the button to start the machine.
- She pressed the doorbell and waited.
- Press the brake pedal when you see the red light.
- He pressed the remote control to change the channel.
Learner examples
- Press the button to open the door.
- Press here to turn on the light.
- Press the key to type a letter.
- Press the red switch to stop.
Noun
B1
entity
2
News media industry
Newspapers, TV, radio, and people who report news.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'press' with 'pressure' in contexts about media.
Synonyms
media (Broader term that includes all communication channels, not only news organizations.)
Antonyms
private communication (Information shared privately rather than through public news media.)
Collocations
freedom of the press
|the press conference
|criticize the press
|press coverage
Themes
media
|politics
|communication
|business
Examples
- The press reported widely on the event.
- Freedom of the press is important in a democracy.
- She gave an interview to the press.
- The press covered the story extensively.
Learner examples
- The press wrote about the new school.
- He spoke to the press after the game.
- The press asked many questions at the meeting.
- The press took photos of the star.
Verb
A2
action
3
Iron clothes to remove wrinkles
To make clothes flat and smooth with an iron.
Usage pattern:
to press [clothes]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'press' here means 'push'; it actually means 'iron'.
Synonyms
iron (Common term specifically for using an iron to smooth clothes; 'press' can be more formal or specific in tailoring.)
Antonyms
wrinkle (To make or become creased or folded.)
Collocations
press a shirt
|press trousers
|freshly pressed
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|clothing
Examples
- He pressed his shirt before the meeting.
- The tailor pressed the suit to perfection.
- Please press these trousers for me.
Learner examples
- I pressed my dress for the party.
- She pressed his shirt for work.
- He pressed his pants in the morning.
Verb
B2
action
4
Urge someone strongly to act
To ask someone again and again to do something.
Usage pattern:
to press [someone] to [do something]
Synonyms
urge ('Urge' is softer and more about encouragement; 'press' can imply more persistence or pressure.)
Antonyms
dissuade (To convince someone not to take an action.)
Collocations
press for action
|press someone to decide
|press demands
Themes
communication
|relationships
Examples
- They pressed him to accept the offer.
- She pressed for a quick decision.
- The group pressed the government for reform.
Learner examples
- She pressed him to join the team.
- They pressed him to speak at the meeting.
- He pressed her to finish quickly.
Noun
B1
entity
5
Machine for shaping or squeezing materials
A machine that pushes on things to change their shape or get liquid out.
Synonyms
compressor (A machine that compresses air or gas; not all compressors are presses.)
Collocations
printing press
|wine press
|hydraulic press
Themes
technology
|work
Examples
- The printing press revolutionized communication.
- They used a wine press to crush the grapes.
- The metal was shaped in a large press.
Learner examples
- The printing press made books faster to make.
- We used a press to make juice from apples.
- The worker used a press to shape metal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
press
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛs/
US/pɹˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
press (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (press)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: press
- Plural: press, presses
Verb
- Base: press
- 3rd Person Singular: presses
- Present Participle: pressing
- Past: pressed
Word family
Forms
presses
noun
pressing
verb
pressed
verb
Core family
pressure
noun B1
Advanced or less common
pressurize
verb B2
Expressions
freedom of the press
1/fɹˈidəm əv ðə pɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Right of media to publish freely
The right of news organizations to write and share information without control from the government.
Examples
- Freedom of the press is protected by law in many countries.
- They argued that freedom of the press was being threatened.
hot off the press
1/hˈɑt ˈɔf ðə pɹˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Just printed or released news
News or information that has just been printed or made public.
Examples
- Here's today's newspaper—hot off the press!
- The story is hot off the press and already making waves.
press ahead (with)
1/pɹˈɛs əhˈɛd wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Continue despite obstacles
To keep doing something even if it is hard or people do not agree.
Examples
- They decided to press ahead with their plans despite criticism.
- We will press ahead regardless of the challenges.
press for time
1/pɹˈɛs fɚ tˈaɪm/
idiom
Have less time than needed
To be in a hurry because you do not have enough time.
Examples
- I can't talk now—I'm really pressed for time.
- We were pressed for time, so we skipped lunch.
press charges
1/pɹˈɛs t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
Formally accuse someone of a crime
To tell the police you want someone to be charged with a crime they did to you.
Examples
- She decided not to press charges after the incident.
- They decided not to press charges after the accident.
- The victim plans to press charges against the thief.
- The victim pressed charges against the attacker.