press
n. C / Un. the people who work for newspapers, magazines, and news websites. You also use it to describe the act of pushing a button or a machine that prints books.
n. the collective body of journalists and media organisations that report news; also, the act of applying physical force to an object or a machine used for printing.
The press is waiting outside the building for a statement.
The politician refused to answer questions from the press during the short walk to his car.
Freedom of the press is considered a fundamental pillar of democratic societies, ensuring that those in power remain accountable to the public through independent investigative reporting.
When referring to the media, it is often used with the definite article ('the press') and can take either a singular or plural verb in British English.
The press are very small on this phone.The buttons are very small on this phone.Learners sometimes use 'press' to mean the physical buttons themselves, but 'press' refers to the action or the media, not the individual plastic keys.
- 01
press into service
To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to make something serve a function, especially one it was not designed or intended for.
- 02
press on
To persist, to continue to advance.
- 03
press the flesh
To shake hands and socialize, especially in a political gathering.