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Added 9 October 2026

press

/pɹɛs/ noun

In Latin: prēlum, torcular Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about press at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An instance of applying pressure; an instance of pressing.
A device used to apply pressure to an item.
a flower press
A crowd.

verb

To exert weight or force against, to act upon with force or weight; to exert pressure upon.
To activate a button or key by exerting a downward or forward force on it, and then releasing it.
To compress, squeeze.
to press fruit for the purpose of extracting the juice

Origin

From Middle English presse (“throng, crowd, clothespress”), partially from Old English press (“clothespress”) (from Medieval Latin pressa) and from Old French presse (Modern French presse) from Old French presser (“to press”), from Latin pressāre, from pressus, past participle of premere (“to press”). Chiefly displaced native Middle English thring (“press, crowd, throng”) (from Old English þring (“a press, crowd, anything that presses or confines”)). see English thring

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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