Definition of press

to depress a mouse button and hold it down until the mouse action is completed.Contrast click.

1. manual or automatic machine that uses an inked surface to print words and images on paper or any other comparable surface. The platen press, flatbed cylinder press, rotary press, and web press are examples of printing presses frequently used by printers. The platen press can print color or monotone on all types of thicknesses and is generally used for lettershop printing jobs requiring heavy pressure. The flatbed cylinder press contains a "flat-bed" support that holds the printing surface and is used both in letterpress and lithographic (see lithography) printing. The rotary press features two cylinders as its primary mechanism and is used for letterpress and gravure printing (direct rotary) or lithographic printing (indirect rotary). The web press uses curved plates to print on a continuous roll of paper at unusually high speeds and is used in newspaper printing by letterpress and in rotogravure work. All presses contain a feeding device, which feeds each sheet to the printing unit; an inking mechanism, which sets forth ink to the cylinder; and a delivery system, which removes the sheets from the press and assembles them on top of each other.
2. informal term for publicity received for a product, service, accomplishment, or any activity surrounding corporate/marketing activities; also called press coverage. Press can be favorable or unfavorable, and it can either be done in coordination with a Public Relations Agency or be created by the medium in which it appears. For example, a company could receive favorable press coverage in a publication about the merits of a new product. On the other hand, a negative commentary could be written in a publication about the hazardous effects of a company's product.
3. informal term for the news media. An example of the press would be journalists at a news conference.