1. (

• press ,
• pressure ,
• pressing

) the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure; "he gave the button a press"; "he used pressure to stop the bleeding"; "at the pressing of a button" ;

2. (

• pressing

) a metal or plastic part that is made by a mechanical press ;

1. (

• press

) exert pressure or force to or upon; "He pressed down on the boards"; "press your thumb on this spot" ;

2. (

• urge ,
• urge_on ,
• press ,
• exhort

) force or impel in an indicated direction; "I urged him to finish his studies" ;

3. (

• weigh ,
• press ,

) to be oppressive or burdensome; "weigh heavily on the mind"; "Something pressed on his mind" ;

4. (

• press ,

) place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure; "pressed flowers" ;

5. (

• compress ,
• constrict ,
• squeeze ,
• compact ,
• contract ,
• press ,

) squeeze or press together; "she compressed her lips"; "the spasm contracted the muscle" ;

6. (

• press

) crowd closely; "The crowds pressed along the street" ;

7. (

• press ,

) create by pressing; "Press little holes into the soft clay" ;

8. (

• press

) be urgent; "This is a pressing problem" ;

9. (

• crusade ,
• fight ,
• press ,
• campaign ,
• push ,
• agitate ,

) exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for; "The liberal party pushed for reforms"; "She is crusading for women's rights"; "The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate" ;

10. (

• press ,
• press_out

) press from a plastic; "press a record" ;

11. (

• press ,
• push ,

) make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby; "`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman" ;

12. (

• iron ,
• iron_out ,
• press ,

) press and smooth with a heated iron; "press your shirts"; "she stood there ironing" ;

13. (

• weight-lift ,
• weightlift ,
• press

) lift weights; "This guy can press 300 pounds" ;

14. (

• bid ,
• beseech ,
• entreat ,
• adjure ,
• press ,
• conjure ,

) ask for or request earnestly; "The prophet bid all people to become good persons" ;

1. (

• pressing ,
• urgent

) compelling immediate action; "too pressing to permit of longer delay"; "the urgent words `Hurry! Hurry!'"; "bridges in urgent need of repair" ;