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
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
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
Ellis, an undrafted player from Alabama who was still on a two-way contract in February, will be in the starting lineup when the Kings try to punch their ticket to the playoffs Friday night in New Orleans.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
The victim, an unidentified man, told officers that Ye punched him in the face multiple times, the police spokesman said.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Despite his many flaws — two suspensions this season, punching teammate Jordan Poole last season — Warriors star Draymond Green will go into the summer knowing that his longtime coach still has his back.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Her mother is accused of dragging her by her hair, punching her in the chest and face, and hitting her with a belt.
—Wayne Parry, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
One year later, at another relative’s home in Door County, Anderson was arrested after smashing a glass, punching a hole in a wall and grabbing a phone out of another relative’s hand who was trying to call police, a criminal complaint said.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
Simply use the pushpin to punch a small hole close to the middle of one of the cards and you're done.
—The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
The Enquirer, 23 Apr. 2024
That puts it in the sweet spots of maturation and ABV—not too old and not too young, not too hot but still packing a boozy punch.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Autónoma de Buenos Aires Juan Perez Juan Perez packs a punch!
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
Keeps a stiff punch extended to rob rusher of his operation space.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
As the amoral Tom, James Cagney punches, kicks, and shoots his way to the top.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
Leland With a population under 500, Leland packs a big tourism punch for such a small town.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 09 of 12 Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch Recipe
This sweet-and-sour punch has got some spice.
—Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
The affidavit says punches and kicks were exchanged between the two men as bystanders attempted to separate them.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
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
Ellis, an undrafted player from Alabama who was still on a two-way contract in February, will be in the starting lineup when the Kings try to punch their ticket to the playoffs Friday night in New Orleans.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
The victim, an unidentified man, told officers that Ye punched him in the face multiple times, the police spokesman said.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Despite his many flaws — two suspensions this season, punching teammate Jordan Poole last season — Warriors star Draymond Green will go into the summer knowing that his longtime coach still has his back.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Her mother is accused of dragging her by her hair, punching her in the chest and face, and hitting her with a belt.
—Wayne Parry, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
One year later, at another relative’s home in Door County, Anderson was arrested after smashing a glass, punching a hole in a wall and grabbing a phone out of another relative’s hand who was trying to call police, a criminal complaint said.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
Simply use the pushpin to punch a small hole close to the middle of one of the cards and you're done.
—The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Noun
The butter on that Allez bread turned out to be garlic butter, which give the whole sandwich more depth and a pungent Italian-style punch.
—The Enquirer, 23 Apr. 2024
That puts it in the sweet spots of maturation and ABV—not too old and not too young, not too hot but still packing a boozy punch.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Autónoma de Buenos Aires Juan Perez Juan Perez packs a punch!
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
Keeps a stiff punch extended to rob rusher of his operation space.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
As the amoral Tom, James Cagney punches, kicks, and shoots his way to the top.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
Leland With a population under 500, Leland packs a big tourism punch for such a small town.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 09 of 12 Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch Recipe
This sweet-and-sour punch has got some spice.
—Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
The affidavit says punches and kicks were exchanged between the two men as bystanders attempted to separate them.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near punch
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch. Accessed 26 Apr. 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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