Push

/pʊʃ/ name, noun, verb, slang

name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.
  • Grammar: push is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: thrust, a shove, accelerate, activate.
  • Useful contrasts: applied pull, consistent pull, dynamic pull.
  • Usage evidence: In case of an emergency, push this button.

How to use "push"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "push" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "push" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "push" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "push" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "push" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "thrust" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "push", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing. countable, uncountable

    "Give the door a hard push if it sticks."

  2. 2
    A pustule; a pimple. UK, dialectal, obsolete

    "a Push rise upon his Nose"

  3. 3
    the act of applying force in order to move something away wordnet
  4. 4
    An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents. countable, uncountable

    "One more push and the baby will be out."

  5. 5
    an effort to advance wordnet
Show 14 more definitions
  1. 6
    A great effort (to do something). countable, uncountable

    "Some details got lost in the push to get the project done."

  2. 7
    an electrical switch operated by pressing wordnet
  3. 8
    An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    enterprising or ambitious drive wordnet
  5. 10
    A force that impels or pressures one to act. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "I guess it's just the special curse of working under deadline's push"

  6. 11
    the force used in pushing wordnet
  7. 12
    A marching or drill maneuver/manoeuvre performed by moving a formation (especially a company front) forward or toward the audience, usually to accompany a dramatic climax or crescendo in the music. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    The addition of a data item to the top of a stack. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request. Internet, uncountable

    "server push; a push technology"

  11. 16
    A particular crowd or throng or people. Australia, UK, countable, obsolete, slang, uncountable

    "Till some wild, excited person Galloped down the township cursing, "Sydney push have mobbed Macpherson, Roll up, Dandaloo!""

  12. 17
    A push shot. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    An attempt to give momentum to a wrestler's career in the form of victories and/or more screen time. countable, slang, uncountable
  14. 19
    A push-button, such as a bell push. countable, uncountable

    "A bell circuit, fed from the train lighting battery, is connected to a push in each berth and functions in conjunction with a luminous indicator mounted over the door and in association with a cancellation push, for use by the car attendant."

Verb
  1. 1
    To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force. intransitive, transitive

    "In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me."

  2. 2
    press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action wordnet
  3. 3
    To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action. transitive

    "We are pushed for an answer."

  4. 4
    make publicity for; try to sell (a product) wordnet
  5. 5
    To press or urge forward; to drive. transitive

    "to push an objection too far; to push one's luck"

Show 21 more definitions
  1. 6
    make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby wordnet
  2. 7
    To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.). transitive

    "Stop pushing the issue — I'm not interested."

  3. 8
    move with force wordnet
  4. 9
    To continually exert oneself in order to achieve a goal. intransitive

    "Don't think that if you keep pushing harder and harder, it will make you succeed faster or earn more."

  5. 10
    press against forcefully without moving wordnet
  6. 11
    To approach; to come close to. informal, participle, present, regional, transitive

    "My old car is pushing 250,000 miles."

  7. 12
    move strenuously and with effort wordnet
  8. 13
    To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to give birth or defecate. intransitive

    "During childbirth, there are times when the obstetrician advises the woman not to push."

  9. 14
    approach a certain age or speed wordnet
  10. 15
    To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action. intransitive
  11. 16
    sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs) wordnet
  12. 17
    To make a higher bid at an auction.
  13. 18
    strive and make an effort to reach a goal wordnet
  14. 19
    To make an all-in bet.
  15. 20
    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 wordnet
  16. 21
    To move (a pawn) directly forward. transitive
  17. 22
    To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.

    "When the microprocessor decodes the JSR opcode, it stores the operand into the TEMP register and pushes the current contents of the PC ($00 0128) onto the stack."

  18. 23
    To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.

    "Because this version of the Windows Installer is aware of the GAC, it has the capability to publish components into it. […] You can manually or programmatically push an assembly into the GAC by using the command-line tool Gacutil.exe."

  19. 24
    To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore. obsolete

    "If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, […] the ox shall be stoned."

  20. 25
    To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.
  21. 26
    To strike the cue ball in such a way that it stays in contact with the cue and object ball at the same time (a foul shot).
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

Synonyms

All synonyms
thrusta shoveaccelerateactivateactuateadvance

Antonyms

applied pullconsistent pulldynamic pullgentle tug

Example

"In case of an emergency, push this button."

Common questions

What does "push" mean?

A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.

What is a synonym for "push"?

Common synonyms include: thrust, a shove, accelerate, activate, actuate, advance.

How do you use "push" in a sentence?

In case of an emergency, push this button.

How do you pronounce "push"?

Pronounced /pʊʃ/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English pushen, poshen, posson, borrowed from Middle French pousser (Modern French pousser) from Old French poulser, from Latin pulsare (“to beat, strike”), frequentative of pellere (past participle pulsus). Doublet of pulsate and pulse (verb). Partly displaced native Old English sċūfan, whence Modern English shove.

Etymology 2

Probably French poche. See pouch.

More for "push"

Synonyms

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