push-button

1 of 2

adjective

push-but·​ton ˈpu̇sh-ˌbə-tᵊn 

1

: operated or done by means of push buttons

a push-button phone

2

: using or dependent on complex and more or less self-operating mechanisms that are put in operation by a simple act comparable to pushing a button

push-button warfare

push button

2 of 2

noun

: a small button or knob that when pushed operates something especially by closing an electric circuit

Examples of push-button in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The switch panel on the center console offers climate and drive settings and is anchored by a lever gear shifter; Bentley has not gone the way of push-button gears. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Geoffrey Mason was barely 30, a control-room functionary working a down day at the 1972 Munich Olympics, when history called on a push-button phone. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024

Noun

Its front, spacious U-zip compartment provides easy access to your essentials, while its smart features like a push button handle and external shoe pockets make for a seamless travel experience. —Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024

Phil Ross: Sit in front of large screens and push buttons? —IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2014

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1874, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

push-button

1 of 2 adjective

1

: operated or done by means of push buttons

a push-button phone

2

: using or dependent on complicated automatic machines

push-button warfare

a push-button civilization

push button

2 of 2 noun

: a small button or knob that when pushed operates something especially by closing an electric circuit