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

There’s a push-button option to tilt the umbrella and hand-crank for popping the umbrella up and down. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025

They’re designed with a push-button lid and angled spout that prevent spills. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

Noun

Alternately, a push button starts a signal ramp generator by charging a 10-microfarad plastic capacitor from B+ via a 2.7-megaohm resistor. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2019

Our expert reviewer found that the on-ear push button controls were simple to use and enjoyed the option to customize long presses from ANC-transparency mode toggling (the default setting) to summoning voice assistants or volume control. —Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for push-button

• unbutton
• button
• clutton
• glutton
• mutton
• witan

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