punch

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpənch 

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

punch

2 of 4

verb

punched; punching; punches

transitive verb

1

a

: prod, poke

b

: drive, herd

punching cattle

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

intransitive verb

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

punch

3 of 4

noun (2)

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

punchless

ˈpənch-ləs 

adjective

punch

4 of 4

noun (3)

: 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

Phrases

to the punch

: to the first blow or to decisive action

—usually used with beat

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• perforation
• pinhole
• pinprick
• prick
• puncture
• stab

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (2)

• cogency
• effectiveness
• force
• forcefulness
• impact
• point

Examples of punch in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The man who later died is suspected of slamming the other man to the ground and getting on top of him and punching him multiple times. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

The man swung at the driver several times, before the driver got him in a headlock and punched him. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pounce, punche, probably alteration of ponson, ponchon puncheon

Verb

Middle English pouncen, punchen to emboss, pierce, probably from pounce, noun

Noun (3)

perhaps from Hindi & Urdu pā̃c five, from Sanskrit pañca; akin to Greek pente five; from its originally having five ingredients — more at five

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing punch

• (as) pleased as punch
• beat (someone) to the punch
• center punch
• milk punch
• one-two punch
• pack a punch/wallop
• planter's punch
• pre-punch
• pull a punch
• punch bag
• punch bowl
• punch card
• punch-drunk
• punch-drunk syndrome
• punch holes in
• punch in
• punch line
• punch list
• punch out
• punch press
• punch someone's lights out
• punch up
• rabbit punch
• sucker punch
• Sunday punch
• to the punch

Kids Definition

punch

1 of 4 verb

ˈpənch 

1

a

: prod entry 1 sense 1, poke

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 noun

1

: 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 noun

1

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

ˈpənch 

: a medical instrument used especially to perforate tissue or remove a small, round segment of tissue (such as skin)

a biopsy punch