1
a
: a tool usually in the form of a short rod of steel that is variously shaped at one end for different operations (such as forming, perforating, embossing, or cutting)
b
: a short tapering steel rod for driving the heads of nails below a surface
c
: a steel die faced with a letter in relief that is forced into a softer metal to form an intaglio matrix from which foundry type is cast
d
: a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as in paper or cardboard)
e
: a medical instrument used especially to perforate tissue or remove a small, round segment of tissue (such as skin)
a biopsy punch
2
: a hole or notch from a perforating operation
punched; punching; punches
2
a
: to strike with a forward thrust especially of the fist
b
: to drive or push forcibly by or as if by a punch
c
: to hit (a ball) with less than a full swing
3
: to emboss, cut, perforate, or make with or as if with a punch
4
a
: to push down so as to produce a desired result
punch buttons on a jukebox
b
: to hit or press down the operating mechanism of
punch a typewriter
c
: to insert a time card into (a time clock)
d
: to produce by or as if by punching keys
punch out a tune on the piano
e
: to enter (something, such as data) by punching keys
5
: to give emphasis to
1
: to perform the action of punching something
2
: to move or push forward especially by a sudden forceful effort
punched into enemy territory
puncher
noun
1
: the action of punching
2
: a quick blow with or as if with the fist
3
: effective energy or forcefulness
a story that packs a punch
political punch
: a hot or cold drink that is usually a combination of hard liquor, wine, or beer and nonalcoholic beverages
also
: a drink that is a mixture of nonalcoholic beverages
Synonyms
Examples of punch in a Sentence
Noun (1)
old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards
Verb
He punched me in the face.
She punched him on the chin.
He quickly punched the buttons on his telephone.
She punched an opening through the dough with her finger.
The tool punches holes in paper.
Noun (2)
the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines
we're going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election
the poor palooka wasn't able to land a single punch on his opponent
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The driver of the No. 81 team threatened fellow driver Cole Custer and attempted to punch him following last Saturday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Live updates on Election Day snags:Legal fights and long, long lines
Profanities and a punch that knocked glasses off judge's face
Again, police reported, Schmidt was told to go to the back of the line.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punch 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Verb
The lawsuit alleges that Jackson punched Shanquella Robinson in the face, head, neck and other parts of her body.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The driver of the No. 81 team threatened fellow driver Cole Custer and attempted to punch him following last Saturday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Hurricane Oscar made landfall in far eastern Cuba around the same time as the blackout, throwing a one-two punch that has sapped precious resources in a country suffering from severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Live updates on Election Day snags:Legal fights and long, long lines
Profanities and a punch that knocked glasses off judge's face
Again, police reported, Schmidt was told to go to the back of the line.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punch
Dictionary Entries Near punch
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punch
1 of 4 verb1
a
b
: drive entry 1 sense 1a, herd
punch cattle
2
a
: to strike with the fist
b
: to press, strike, or cause to work by or as if by punching
punch a typewriter
3
: to pierce or stamp with a punch
4
: to enter (as data) by punching keys
puncher
noun
punch
2 of 4 noun1
: a quick blow with or as if with the fist
2
: effective force
the team was well trained but lacked punch
punch
3 of 4 noun1
a
: a tool for piercing, cutting, or stamping or for driving a nail
b
: a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as in paper or cardboard)
2
: a hole or notch made by a punch
punch
4 of 4 noun
: a drink made of various and usually many ingredients and often flavored with wine or liquor
Etymology
Verb
Middle English pouncen, punchen "emboss, pierce," probably from pounce "punching tool, dagger, talon"
Noun
perhaps from a word in Hindi & Urdu (the official language of Pakistan) pā̃c "five"; so called from the fact that it originally had five ingredients
Medical Definition
punch
noun
: a medical instrument used especially to perforate tissue or remove a small, round segment of tissue (such as skin)
a biopsy punch
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