Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » squeeze

squeeze

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

To squeeze is defined as to compress or put pressure on something particularly to make room or get something out.

(verb)

An example of to squeeze is to press on a ketchup packet to get out every last drop.

The definition of a squeeze is the act of pressing things together.

(noun)

An example of a squeeze is a hug.
An example of a squeeze is putting ten people in a church pew that is designed for eight people.

See squeeze in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb squeezed, squeezing

to press hard or closely; exert pressure on, esp. from two or more sides; compress
1. to press in order to extract liquid, juice, etc.: to squeeze oranges
2. to get, bring forth, or extract by pressure: to squeeze water from a sponge
to force (into, out, through, etc.) by or as by pressing
to get, extract, or extort by force or unfair means
to oppress with exactions, burdensome taxes, etc.
to put pressure or bring influence to bear upon (someone) to do a certain thing, as to pay money, etc.
to embrace closely; hug
☆ Baseball to score (a run) or cause (a runner) to score by a squeeze play
☆ Bridge to force (an opponent) to discard a potentially winning card

Origin: intens. of ME queisen < OE cwysan, to squeeze, dash against, bruise, akin to Goth quistjan, to destroy < IE base *gweye-, to overpower > Sans jināti, (he) conquers

intransitive verb

to yield or give way to pressure: a wet sponge squeezes easily
to exert pressure
to force one's way by pushing or pressing (in, out, through, etc.)

noun

a squeezing or being squeezed; hard or close pressure
1. a close embrace; hug
2. a firm pressing or grasping of another's hand in one's own
the state of being closely pressed or packed; crush
a period or situation marked by scarcity, hardship, insecurity, etc.
a facsimile impression made by pressing a soft substance onto something, as a coin or inscription
a quantity of something extracted by squeezing
Informal pressure or influence brought to bear, as in extortion
used esp. in the phrase ☆ put the squeeze on
☆ squeeze play
Slang a sweetheart or lover: used esp. in the expression

Related Forms:

squeezable adjective
squeezer noun

See squeeze in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb squeezed squeezed, squeez·ing, squeez·es

verb, transitive

To press hard on or together; compress.
To press gently, as in affection: squeezed her hand.
To exert pressure on, as by way of extracting liquid: squeeze an orange.
To extract by or as if by applying pressure: squeeze juice from a lemon; squeezed a confession out of a suspect.
To extract by dishonest means; extort.
To pressure or intimidate (someone) to comply with a demand, as to make an extortion payment.
To obtain room for by pressure; cram: squeezed her books into the briefcase.
To manage to find time or space for.
Games To force (an opponent) to use a potentially winning card in a trick he or she cannot take in bridge.
Baseball To cause (a run or base runner) to score on a squeeze play.

verb, intransitive

To give way under pressure.
To exert pressure.
To force one's way: squeeze through a crowd; squeeze into a tight space.

noun

The act or an instance of squeezing.
An amount squeezed out: a squeeze of lemon.
A handclasp or brief embrace.
A group crowded together; a crush.
Informal A squeeze play.
Financial pressure caused by shortages or narrowing economic margins.
Pressure or intimidation to comply with a demand, as to make an extortion payment.
Games A forced discard of a potentially winning card in bridge.
Slang One's primary romantic partner or sweetheart.

Phrasal Verbs: squeeze off To fire (a round of bullets) by squeezing the trigger.squeeze through/by To manage narrowly to pass, win, or survive.

Origin:

Origin: Probably alteration of obsolete quease, to press

Origin: , from Middle English queisen

Origin: , from Old English cwȳsan

Related Forms: