Press Meaning
Press Definition & Usage
To apply force to something, typically to flatten, compress, or activate it.
Examples
- "He pressed the button and the machine started."
- "She pressed her hands against her temples, trying to relieve the headache."
- "The worker pressed the paper down to ensure the edges were even."
- "He pressed the key so hard that it broke off."
- "I pressed the pillow into the couch cushions to fluff it up."
To promote or publicize something, often through media outlets.
Examples
- "The company pressed for media coverage of their new product launch."
- "The politician was pressed by reporters for a comment on the scandal."
- "She pressed the publisher to release her book ahead of schedule."
- "The charity is pressing for donations after the recent disaster."
- "The PR team pressed for favorable reviews of the movie."
The collective term for journalists, reporters, and news organizations, especially those involved in gathering and disseminating news.
Examples
- "The press was waiting outside the courthouse for the verdict."
- "He refused to comment in front of the press."
- "The government is trying to control what the press reports on."
- "The press conference was held in the mayor's office."
- "She was a veteran of the press, having covered stories for over twenty years."
A machine or device used for printing text or images onto paper or other materials.
Examples
- "The press is running 24 hours a day to meet the deadline."
- "He worked in the print shop, operating the press."
- "The press turned out thousands of copies of the magazine each day."
- "We need to check the press for any errors before distribution."
- "The new press was able to print in color for the first time."
Cultural Context
The word 'press' has a long history, dating back to its Latin origins. In media and journalism, it has come to symbolize not only the physical act of pressing but also the collective profession of journalists and the tools used to print materials. In the modern era, 'press' can refer to the industry as a whole, covering both traditional print media and digital outlets.
The Pressing Issue
Story
The Pressing Issue
It was an ordinary day in the newsroom when Sarah realized that the stakes for her next story were higher than ever before. Her editor, Tom, had been pressing her to deliver a breakthrough piece on the city's growing homelessness crisis, and the pressure was beginning to show. As Sarah sat at her desk, typing furiously, she received a call from a source promising critical information. ‘If you want the scoop, you need to press them harder,’ the voice on the other end said, ‘they’ve been hiding the truth.’ Determined to break the story, Sarah pressed the matter further, sending emails and making calls, but the answers she got were always the same: ‘No comment.’ Her frustration grew, and she pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the desk, trying to focus. She remembered how her mentor had always said, ‘Sometimes, the press has to push hard to get the truth.’ Hours later, her persistence paid off when she finally received the official statement she needed. With a sigh of relief, Sarah hit ‘send’ on the email, submitting her article to Tom. It would go live tomorrow morning. ‘The press,’ she thought with a smile, ‘is more than just reporting—it’s about pressing for what’s right, for what’s hidden.' As Sarah stood to leave for the night, she pressed the elevator button and leaned against the wall, her mind still racing with the events of the day. It wasn’t just about getting the story out—it was about having the press, the machine of news, work for a greater purpose. And sometimes, that meant applying a little pressure.
Related Words
