English Reference

Word

french press

PhoneticsFrench-press

US/ˌfrentʃ ˈpres/

UK/ˌfrentʃ ˈpres/

Definition

compound. a manual coffee maker with a glass pot and a metal filter that you push down to separate the ground beans from the water

compound. a manual coffee brewing device consisting of a cylindrical vessel and a plunger mechanism with an integrated mesh filter that separates grounds from the liquid by displacement.

Examples

“I make fresh coffee every morning using my small French press.”

“The French press is often lauded for its ability to retain essential oils and silty textures that are typically stripped away by paper filtration methods.”

Examples

simple

“I make fresh coffee every morning using my small French press.”

complex

“The French press is often lauded for its ability to retain essential oils and silty textures that are typically stripped away by paper filtration methods.”

Real-World Examples

“A French press requires full-immersion brewing: steeped, with no filter, so drinkers will taste the full spectrum of the coffee—including defects—because it comes into contact with the water for a relatively long time.”
The New York Times (Wirecutter) · 8 Apr 2025
“One of the easiest ways to brew coffee is with a French press: add your coffee and water, set a timer, and plunge when ready.”
Serious Eats · 20 Aug 2024

Etymology

Despite the name, the modern design was patented by Italian inventor Ugo Paolini in 1929, though earlier versions were popularized in France during the 19th century.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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English Reference