to press against with force in order to move: [~ + object]He rudely pushed them aside.[no object]They were pushing and shoving.
to move (something) in a certain way, as by exerting force: [~ + object]pushed the door open.[no object]He pushed past me.
to (cause to) extend or stick up or out; thrust: [no object]The plant pushed out of the soil.[~ + object]Pressure pushed lava to the surface.
to urge (someone) to some action, or on some course of action: [no object]He's pushing too hard at his new job.[~ + object]He's pushing himself too hard; he needs a break.[~ + object + to + verb]His parents pushed him to get a job.
to press (an action, proposal, etc.) with energy and by making demands: [~ + object]to push a bill through Congress.[no object]pushing for passage of the bill.
to urge or promote the use, sale, adoption, etc., of something; promote:[no object]still pushing for his vision of what our group should be about.
to press or bear hard upon:[~ + object]The lawyer began to push the witness for an answer.
Drugs, Slang Terms[Slang.]to sell (illegal drugs):[~]+[object]He was arrested for pushing cocaine and heroin.
Informal Termsto be approaching:[be + ~-ing* ~ + object]The car was pushing the speed limit.
push around, to bully or intimidate: [~ + object + around]always pushing the younger boys around.[~ + around + object]always pushing around boys weaker than himself.
push off, [no object][Informal.]to go away; depart.
push on, [no object] to proceed; press forward:He pushed on with the project.
n.
[countable] the act of pushing; a shove or thrust.
[countable] a strong, determined effort, campaign, advance, military attack, etc.
Informal Terms[uncountable]energy to complete an activity; purpose; drive; enterprise.
Idioms
Idiomswhen or if push comes to shove, when or if a problem must finally be dealt with.
Informal Termsto be approaching a specific age, speed, or the like:The maestro is pushing ninety-two.
Photographyto modify (film processing) to compensate for underexposure.
v.i.
to exert a thrusting force upon something.
to use steady force in moving a thing away; shove.
to make one's way with effort or persistence, as against difficulty or opposition.
to extend or project; thrust:The point of land pushed far out into the sea.
to put forth vigorous or persistent efforts.
Drugs[Slang.]to sell illicit drugs.
to move on being pushed:a swinging door that pushes easily.
push around, to treat contemptuously and unfairly; bully:She's not the kind of person who can be pushed around.
push off, [Informal.]to go away; depart:We stopped at Denver for the night and were ready to push off again the following morning.
push on, to press forward; continue; proceed:The pioneers, despite overwhelming obstacles, pushed on across the plains.
push one's luck. See luck (def. 9).
n.
the act of pushing; a shove or thrust.
a contrivance or part to be pushed in order to operate a mechanism.
a vigorous onset or effort.
a determined advance against opposition, obstacles, etc.
a vigorous and determined military attack or campaign:The big push began in April.
the pressure of circumstances, activities, etc.
Informal Termspersevering energy; enterprise.
Informal Termsa crowd or company of people.
British Termsdismissal from a job; sack.
British Terms[Australian Slang.]a gang of hoodlums.
Idiomswhen or if push comes to shove, when or if matters are ultimately confronted or resolved; when or if a problem must be faced; in a crucial situation:If push comes to shove, the government will impose quotas on imports.
Latin pulsāre. See pulsate
Middle French pousser, Old French po(u)lser
Middle English pushen, poshen, posson (verb, verbal) 1250–1300
3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged shoulder.
5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged persuade, impel.