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press · verb /pres/Full view
Nouns: press, pressure
Adjectives: pressed, pressing
Verbs: press, pressure
press (PUSH)
B1 I or T to push something firmly, often without causing it to move permanently further away from you
Dictionary examples:

Press the button to start the machine.

He pressed his face against the window.

Press down hard on the pedal.

Learner example:

When you press it, it will say: "Congratulations" to you. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

press (PERSUADE)
C2 T to try hard to persuade someone to do something
Dictionary examples:

The committee pressed him to reveal more information.

We pressed him for an answer but he refused.

Learner example:

A year later, the press, publishers and film-makers and directors pressed me to make a film on Stella. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

press charges
C2 to complain officially about someone in a court of law
Dictionary example:

The family decided not to press charges against him.

Learner example:

He decided on the spot that if Paul was to return all the money he wouldn't press charges so he called his parents and asked them to find out where he was. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

press · phrasal verb /pres/
press on
C to continue to do something or go somewhere in a determined way
Dictionary example:

It was pouring with rain but we pressed on towards the village.

Learner example:

He reached the top and threw the rope to the building on fire. People started one by one pressing on [to] the next building. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

press · noun /pres/
Nouns: press, pressure
Adjectives: pressed, pressing
Verbs: press, pressure
the press
B2 newspapers, magazines, and television, radio, or Internet news organizations, or the people who report the news for them
Dictionary examples:

The director hasn't talked to the press yet.

the local/national press

a press conference/briefing

Learner example:

I helped them with most of the practical arrangements, [such] as meetings with the press, dinners and so on. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

good/bad press
C1 praise or criticism from newspapers, magazines, television, etc.
Dictionary example:

She's had a lot of bad press recently.

Learner example:

I also insist that you wr[i]te a note of apology to the organi[z]ers, for bad press won't help either the charity or the hospital. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

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