jostle

The definition of jostle is to push and shove your way through a space or through a crowd, or to compete for something or to fight for position.

(verb)

When you push and elbow your way through a crowd, this is an example of a time when you jostle your way through the crowd.
When you compete for a position at work, this is an example of a time when you jostle for position.

See jostle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb jostled, jostling

Origin: earlier justle, freq. < ME justen: see joust

noun

the act of jostling; rough bump or shove

Related Forms:

See jostle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb jos·tled, jos·tling, jos·tles

verb, intransitive

To come in rough contact while moving; push and shove: jostled against the others on the crowded platform.
To make one's way by pushing or elbowing: jostled through the guests to the bar.
To vie for an advantage or position.
To be in close proximity.
To pick or try to pick pockets.

verb, transitive

To come into rough contact with while moving: messengers who jostle pedestrians on the sidewalk.
To force by pushing or elbowing: jostled my way through the mob.
To vie with for an advantage or position.
To be in close proximity with: “Books written in all languages … jostle each other on the shelf” (Virginia Woolf).
To pick or try to pick the pocket of.

noun