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punch
1[puhnch]
noun
a thrusting blow, especially with the fist.
forcefulness, effectiveness, or pungency in content or appeal; vigor; zest.
This ad copy you wrote isn't bad, but it needs more punch.
verb (used with object)
to give a sharp thrust or blow to, especially with the fist.
Synonyms: , , ,Western U.S. and Western Canada.to drive (cattle).
to poke or prod, as with a stick.
Informal.to deliver (lines in a play, a musical passage, or the like) with vigor.
to strike or hit in operating.
She punched the elevator button and waited for the doors to open.
to put into operation with or as if with a blow.
I punched the time clock at that factory every morning and evening for 35 years.
Baseball.to hit (the ball) with a short, chopping motion rather than with a full swing.
He punched a soft liner just over third base for a base hit.
verb (used without object)
to give a sharp blow to a person or thing, as with the fist.
The boxer punches well.
verb phrase
to call up (information) on a computer by the use of a keyboard.
She punched up a list of hotel reservations.
Informalto enliven, as with fresh ideas or additional material.
You'd better punch up that speech with a few jokes.
Informalto keep trying or working, especially in difficult or discouraging circumstances; persevere.
How long have you been punching away at the same old job?
to record one's time of arrival at work by punching a time clock.
to keyboard (information) into a computer.
I was punching in the inventory figures when the system crashed.
to record one's time of departure from work by punching a time clock.
Slangto beat up or knock out with the fists.
to extract (information) from a computer by the use of a keyboard.
This function lets you quickly punch out a report when sales audit time comes along.
to bail out; eject from an aircraft.
punch
2[puhnch]
noun
a tool or machine for perforating or stamping materials, driving nails, etc.
the solid upper die of a punch press, used with a hollow die to blank out shaped pieces of sheet metal or the like.
verb (used with object)
to cut, stamp, pierce, perforate, form, or drive with a tool or machine that punches.
verb (used without object)
to work at or on something with or as if with a mechanical punch.
punch
3[puhnch]
noun
a beverage consisting of wine or spirits mixed with fruit juice, soda, water, milk, or the like, and flavored with sugar, spices, etc.
a beverage of two or more fruit juices, sugar, and water, sometimes carbonated.
Punch
4[puhnch]
noun
the chief male character in a Punch-and-Judy show.
punch
1/ ʌԳʃ /
verb
to strike blows (at), esp with a clenched fist
(tr) to herd or drive (cattle), esp for a living
(tr) to poke or prod with a stick or similar object
to do something that is considered to be beyond one's ability
noun
a blow with the fist
informaltelling force, point, or vigour
his arguments lacked punch
See pull
punch
2/ ʌԳʃ /
noun
a tool or machine for piercing holes in a material
any of various tools used for knocking a bolt, rivet, etc, out of a hole
a tool or machine used for stamping a design on something or shaping it by impact
the solid die of a punching machine for cutting, stamping, or shaping material
computing a device, such as a card punch or tape punch, used for making holes in a card or paper tape
See centre punch
verb
(tr) to pierce, cut, stamp, shape, or drive with a punch
Punch
3/ ʌԳʃ /
noun
the main character in the traditional children's puppet show Punch and Judy
punch
4/ ʌԳʃ /
noun
any mixed drink containing fruit juice and, usually, alcoholic liquor, generally hot and spiced
Other Word Forms
- puncher noun
- punchable adjective
- ˈܲԳ noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of punch1
Origin of punch2
Origin of punch3
Origin of punch4
Word History and Origins
Origin of punch1
Origin of punch2
Origin of punch3
Idioms and Phrases
pull punches,
to lessen deliberately the force of one's blows.
Informal. to act with restraint or hold back the full force or implications of something.
He wasn't going to pull any punches when he warned them of what they would be up against.
roll with the punches, to cope with and survive adversity.
In the business world you quickly learn to roll with the punches.
pleased as Punch, highly pleased; delighted.
They were pleased as Punch at having been asked to come along.
Example Sentences
I’m often in the mood to punch him after reading one of Plaschke’s columns, but after reading Sunday’s column I wanted nothing more than to give him a hug.
Just don’t have Palmer play Jar Jar Binks’ father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate, please, because Dark Helmet already spent that punch line on Lone Starr back in 1987.
He recalled how his son, who trained five times a week, appeared "sluggish and wasn't himself" before he "started throwing punches into thin air".
Now he was standing up to the bully who loves to use California, Newsom and our progressive politics as a punching bag.
Maybe it lands flat, maybe it’s a major success, but whatever we’re doing, let’s not hold our punches, let’s give everything we’ve got.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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