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punch

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The definition of a punch is a device used for making holes or stamping, or a hard hit with the fist.

(noun)

An example of a punch is a machine used for making holes in a belt.
An example of a punch is someone hitting a wall hard enough to make a hole.

Punch is defined as to make a hole or stamp in something, or hit very hard with the fist.

(verb)

An example of punch is using a tool shaped like a heart to cut hearts out of paper.
An example of punch is a boxer hitting another boxer in the face.

See punch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a tool driven or pressed against a surface that is to be stamped, pierced, etc.
2. a tool driven against a nail, bolt, etc. that is to be worked in, or against a pin that is to be worked out
a device or machine for making holes, cuts, etc.: a paper punch
the hole, cut, etc. made with a punch

Origin: prob. < var. of ponchon: see puncheon

transitive verb

to pierce, shape, stamp, cut, etc. with a punch
to make (a hole, cut, etc.) with or as with a punch

transitive verb

to prod or poke with a stick
☆ to herd or drive (cattle)
to strike with the fist
to depress or push (a push button, a key on a keypad, etc.)

Origin: ME punchen, orig. var. of pouncen (see pounce): infl. by punch

noun

a thrusting blow with the fist
☆ Informal effective force; vigor

noun

a sweetened drink made with fruit juices, carbonated beverages, sherbet, etc., often mixed with wine or liquor, and served in cups from a large bowl

Origin: Hindi pañca, five < Sans páñca (see five): it orig. consisted of five ingredients

noun

the male character of the puppet show Punch and Judy, a hook-nosed, humpbacked figure

Origin: contr. after Punchinello, earlier Polichinello, a character in a Neapolitan puppet play < It Pulcinella < VL *pullicinus < LL pullicenus, young chicken, dim. of L pullus: see poultry

See punch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A tool for circular or other piercing: a leather punch.
A tool for forcing a pin, bolt, or rivet in or out of a hole.
A tool for stamping a design on a surface.
A tool for making a countersink.

intr. & tr.v. punched, punch·ing, punch·es

To use a punch or use a punch on.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pounce, punche

Origin: , from Old French poinçon, ponchon; see puncheon¹

Origin: . V., from Middle English pouncen, punchen, to prick

Origin: , from Old French poinçoner, ponchoner, to emboss with a punch; see punch²

Related Forms:

punchˈer noun

transitive verb punched, punch·ing, punch·es

To hit with a sharp blow of the fist.
a. To poke or prod with a stick.
b. Western U.S. To herd (cattle).
To depress (a key or button, for example) in order to activate a device or perform an operation: punched the “repeat” key; punched in the number on the computer.
Baseball To hit (a ball) with a quick short swing.

noun

A blow with the fist.
Vigor or drive. See Synonyms at vigor.

Phrasal Verbs: punch in To check in formally at a job upon arrival. punch out To check out formally at a job upon departure. To knock unconscious with a punch. Slang To eject from a military aircraft.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English punchen, to thrust, prod, prick

Origin: , from Old French poinçonner, ponchonner, to emboss with a punch

Origin: , from poinçon, ponchon, pointed tool; see puncheon¹

Related Forms: