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push
/pʊʃ/
apply force to move away
He pushed the heavy box across the floor.
He applied force to move the heavy box.
literal
to exert force on (someone or something) to move them away from oneself
She pushed the door open.
She applied force to make the door open.
Don't push me!
Don't exert force on me!
Can imply urgency or insistence when used without an object (e.g., 'Push harder!').
figurative
to promote or encourage an idea, product, or activity
The company is pushing its new smartphone.
The company is actively promoting its new smartphone.
Common in business contexts for aggressive marketing strategies.
figurative
to move forward or advance despite difficulty
They pushed through the tough negotiations.
They advanced despite the difficulties.
Often used in contexts of perseverance or overcoming obstacles.
Technology
technical
in computing, to transfer data from a local system to a remote one
You need to push the changes to the server.
You need to transfer the updates to the remote server.
Common in version control systems like Git.
literal/figurative
a strong effort or attempt to achieve something
It was a big push to finish the project on time.
It was a major effort to complete the project on schedule.
Often used in phrases like 'a final push' or 'a marketing push'.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish 'push' vs. 'shove'
'Push' implies applying steady force, while 'shove' suggests a sudden, forceful movement. Example: 'She pushed the door gently' vs. 'He shoved the box aside.'
Gold Rule
Context matters
The meaning of 'push' changes based on context. In business, it often means 'promote'; in computing, it means 'transfer data'; in everyday use, it refers to physical force.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'pushen', from Old French 'pousser', from Latin 'pulsare' (to strike, push), frequentative of 'pellere' (to drive).
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'push' can be transitive (e.g., 'push the button') or intransitive (e.g., 'the crowd pushed forward'). In computing, it is often paired with 'pull' (e.g., 'push and pull requests').
Word Breakdown
push
to apply force
rootEnglish Dictionary