Punch Definition

pŭnch

punched, punches, punching

noun

punches

A tool for circular or other piercing.

A leather punch.

American Heritage

A tool driven or pressed against a surface that is to be stamped, pierced, etc.

Webster's New World

A tool driven against a nail, bolt, etc. that is to be worked in, or against a pin that is to be worked out.

Webster's New World

A device or machine for making holes, cuts, etc.

A paper punch.

Webster's New World

The hole, cut, etc. made with a punch.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

punched, punches, punching

To make (a hole or opening), as by using a punch or similar implement.

American Heritage

To pierce, shape, stamp, cut, etc. with a punch.

Webster's New World

To pierce something; make a hole or opening.

My foot punched through the ice.

American Heritage

To drive (the fist) into or through something.

American Heritage

To drive (a ball, for example) with the fist.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
close

idiom

beat to the punch

To make the first decisive move:
a marketing team that beat all the competitors to the punch.

American Heritage

punch the clock

To register one's arrive or departure at a job.
To be employed at a job with regular hours.

American Heritage

pleased as Punch

Highly pleased; gratified.

American Heritage

beat to the punch

to be quicker than (another) in doing something, as in striking a blow

Webster's New World

pull one's punches

to deliver blows that are intentionally ineffective
to attack, criticize, etc. in an intentionally mild or ineffective manner

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Punch

Noun

Singular:

punch

Plural:

punches

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Punch

Origin of Punch

From Middle English punchen, partially from Old French ponchonner (“to punch"), from ponchon (“pointed tool"), from Latin punctus, perfect passive participle of pungō (“I prick"); and partially from Middle English punchen, a syncopated variant of Middle English punischen ("to punish"; see punish). Also influenced by Middle English punchon ("a punch"; see puncheon).

From Wiktionary
From Hindi pañc- five probably as used in pañcāmr̥t a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar, and honey used in Hindu ritual from Sanskrit pañcāmṛtam pañca five penkwe in Indo-European roots amṛtam amrita

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English pounce, punche from Old French poinçon, ponchon puncheon¹ V., from Middle English pouncen, punchen to prick from Old French poinçoner, ponchoner to emboss with a punch punch²

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English punchen to thrust, prod, prick from Old French poinçonner, ponchonner to emboss with a punch from poinçon, ponchon pointed tool puncheon¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Hindi पाँच (pāñć, “five"), because of the drink's original five ingredients (spirits, water, lemon juice, sugar, and spice), from Sanskrit पञ्चन् (páñcan).

From Wiktionary
Shortened form of puncheon, from Old French ponchon (“pointed tool"), from Latin punctus, perfect passive participle of pungō (“I prick").

From Wiktionary
Short for Punchinello

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition