What does push mean?
Push means to apply force in order to move a person or thing, usually away from oneself or in a particular direction: “She pushed the chair toward the table.” The word also has several extended meanings. It can describe moving forward with difficulty, as in pushing through a crowd, and making a determined effort, as in a final push toward a goal. In social and political language, pushing something means actively promoting or advocating it. A push can likewise be a campaign, encouragement, or an aggressive military advance. As a noun, the word can also mean a forceful physical action, an impetus, or a sales initiative. Although ordinary uses of push are neutral, the verb sometimes implies pressure, persistence, or even aggression. Its related forms include the common plural pushes and the noun pushback, meaning resistance or a forceful reversal.
To exert force so as to move a person or thing, urge action, promote a cause, strive toward an objective, or make something extend or develop.
"The committee pushed for a revision of the policy."
Common across registers, but can imply persistence, pressure, or aggression depending on context.
An act of moving or propelling something; a forceful effort; encouragement or impetus; an advocacy or promotional campaign; or an aggressive military advance.
"The company launched a major push to attract new customers."
The sense as a campaign or concerted effort is especially common in political, business, and military contexts.
Used for multiple acts of pushing or for multiple separate efforts, campaigns, or advances.
"After several failed pushes, the climber finally reached the top."
Push traces back to the Latin pulsare, meaning “to beat” or “drive forward,” so even its modern sense of encouragement carries the idea of propelling someone onward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does push come from?
Push entered Middle English from Old French pousser, ultimately derived from Latin pushare, a form associated with pulsare, “to beat” or “drive forward.” The original sense was to press or shove something with force. The verb later extended metaphorically to efforts, arguments, commerce, and military advances, reflecting the idea of driving people or causes forward. The same Latin root produced English words including repel, compel, expel, and impulse.
Related word forms
How push is actually used
The verb is common in both formal and informal English, though “push” can sound forceful or even aggressive in contexts involving pressure or personal space. In business and political contexts, “push” often means to promote or advocate strongly; “pushy” can imply unwarranted persistence. The noun “a push” may refer to an effort, an incentive, a military attack, or a promotional campaign.
Easily confused with push
A push generally involves sustained pressure against a surface, whereas a punch is delivered as a sudden blow with the hand or a similar movement.