# Puck

/ˈpək/ (US) · /pˈʌk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/puck
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Senses

### 1. ice hockey

noun · CEFR A2

a hard, black rubber disk used in the game of ice hockey.

For teachers: a vulcanized rubber disk used as the playing object in ice hockey.

- He shot the puck across the ice into the goal.
- The hockey goaltender made a stunning save with his glove to block the speeding puck.

### 2. espresso coffee

noun · CEFR B2

the compressed disk of ground coffee left inside the portafilter after brewing an espresso.

For teachers: the compacted cake of finely ground coffee remaining in the espresso filter basket following extraction.

- Knock the spent coffee puck into the waste bin after pulling your espresso shot.
- A wet or cracked puck indicates uneven tamping and potential water channeling during extraction.

## Examples

- The player hit the puck into the net.
- During the final minute of the game, the puck flew across the ice and hit the goalpost with a loud crack.
- Professional hockey teams often freeze the puck before a game to reduce its tendency to bounce, ensuring it glides more smoothly across the rink's surface.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with verbs like 'shoot', 'pass', or 'drop'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.