Push-up

//ˈpʊʃˌʌp// adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An exercise done to improve upper body strength, performed by resting on one's toes and hands and pushing one's weight off the floor.

    "2008, Lou Schuler, "Foreward", in Nate Green, Built for Show, page xii I did lots of push-ups and pull-ups, and my only regret is that I stopped doing them as a young adult when I finally got to work out in health clubs instead of my basement or garage."

  2. 2
    A push-up bra.

    "Push-ups give girls with smaller breasts an extra bit of lift and shape."

Verb
  1. 1
    To perform a push-up, or to lift oneself off the ground in a push-up–like manner.

    "Jenk kept off to the side, but joined the class as they started their push-ups.[…] Jenk push-upped, eyes on the ground."

Adjective
  1. 1
    Supporting the breasts to increase their apparent size. not-comparable

    "Talk about lucky stripes: This push-up top features pads to provide oomph and make sure the girls stay sunny-side up."

  2. 2
    Designed to be worn rolled up. not-comparable

    "Season's most popular blouses feature push-up sleeves, little- boy collars, dainty ties."

Example

More examples

"Tom couldn't do even one push-up when he started training."

Etymology

Deverbal from push up.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.