Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - press

~1 n 1 »NEWS« a) also the press people who write reports for newspapers, radio, or television  (the freedom of the press)  (also + plural v BrE)  (In August the press are desperate for news. | press photographers) b) reports in newspapers and on radio and television  (To judge from the press, the concert was a great success. | press clippings | press coverage (=the reports written about something in newspapers)) 2 get/be given a bad press to be criticized in the newspapers or on radio or television  (The police have been getting a bad press in the last few months.) 3 get/be given a good press to be praised in the newspapers or on radio or television  (Our recycling policy is getting a good press.) 4 »PRINTING« a) a business that prints and sometimes also sells books  (the Clarendon Press) b) also printing press a machine that prints books, newspapers, or magazines 5 trouser/flower/wine press a piece of equipment used to put weight on something to make it flat or to force liquid out of it  (You can still buy old cheese presses in some areas.) 6 »PUSH« a light steady push against something small  (Give the button another press.) 7 go to press if a newspaper, magazine, or book goes to press, it is printed 8 »CROWD« a crowd of people pushing against each other ~2 v 1 »AGAINST STH« T always + adv/prep to push something firmly against a surface  (The little boys pressed their noses against the glass. | Viv tried to press himself back against the wall. | The old man pressed a coin into her hand.) 2 »BUTTON« to push something with your finger to make a machine start, a bell ring etc  (What happens if I press the reset button?) 3 »CLOTHES« to make clothes smooth using heat; iron  (I'll need to press my suit.) 4 »CROWD« to move in a particular direction by pushing  (The crowds pressed around her, hoping for her autograph.) 5 »PERSUADE« to try hard to persuade someone to do something  (Please don't press me on this point, I have no more to say. | press sb to do sth)  (Katie pressed me to stay a little longer. | press sb for sth)  (The bank is pressing us for a quick decision.) 6 »FOR JUICE« to put a heavy weight on something to get liquid from it  (The grapes must be pressed to extract the juice.) 7 »MAKE STH FLAT« to put pressure or a weight on something to make it flat  (pressing flowers) 8 »HOLD SB/STH CLOSE« to hold someone or something close to you because you feel upset, are protecting them etc  (press sb/sth to you)  (Prue pressed the photograph to her chest and wept.) 9 press sb's hand/arm to hold someone's hand or arm tightly for a short time, to show friendship, sympathy etc  (Frank pressed my hand warmly when we met.) 10 press charges to say officially that someone has done something illegal and must go to court  (Police are often reluctant to press charges in such cases.) 11 »CLAIM/STATEMENT« to continue to try to make someone accept a claim or statement that you are making  (We shall not press our claim for compensation. | I don't want to press the point, but we are late.) 12 press sb/sth into service to use someone or something not completely suitable, because of an unexpected problem  (My scarf was pressed into service as a bandage.) 13 press sth home a) to push something into its place  (Jane slammed the door and pressed the bolt home.) b) to repeat or emphasize something, so that people remember it  (We must press home the case for action..) 14 press home your advantage to try to succeed completely, using an advantage that you have gained 15 press the flesh humorous to shake hands with a lot of people  (politicians pressing the flesh) 16 »RECORD« to make a copy of a gramophone record etc press (sb) for sth phr v to keep asking for something or to try hard to achieve something  (The firm is pressing me for a decision on their offer. | We must continue to press for full equality.) press on phr v 1 also press ahead to continue doing something, especially working, in a determined way  (Shall we stop here, or press on to the next town? | Let's press on with our work.) 2 T press something on someone) to try hard to give something to someone, so that it is hard for them to refuse it  (press sth on sb)  (Nick was pressing yet another drink on me.)