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
Rich Barak, The Courier-Journal, 30 Nov. 2024
Throughout the Biden administration, Newsom took on Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), something that pleased Democrats who wanted a leader to punch the GOP in the face.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024
John Annese, New York Daily News, 2 Dec. 2024
Chris Willman, chief music critic and senior features editor, packed a punch with four wins including print journalist of the year.
—William Earl, Variety, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punch 
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Verb
The Shamrocks weren’t the only Louisville team to punch a ticket to Lexington.
—Noun
So the pain was still raw when Julien’s kin got hit with another gut punch 26 years later — his killer, who was released from prison in 2019, was recently accused of taking another life.
—Dictionary Entries Near punch
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Kids 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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