First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pinch
verb \ˈpinch\
: to squeeze (someone's skin) between your thumb and finger often in a painful way
: to squeeze or press (something) together with your thumb and finger
: to remove (part of a plant) by squeezing with your thumb and finger
Full Definition of PINCH
transitive verb
1
a : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument b : to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching c : to squeeze or compress painfully d : to cause physical or mental pain to e (1) : to cause to appear thin, haggard, or shrunken (2) : to cause to shrivel or wither
4
: to sail too close to the wind
intransitive verb
2
: to be miserly or closefisted
3
: to press painfully
4
— pinch pennies
: to practice strict economy
See pinch defined for English-language learners
See pinch defined for kids
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Origin of PINCH
Middle English, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer
2pinch
noun
: the act of pinching someone or something
: the amount of something that can be held between your finger and thumb
Full Definition of PINCH
1
2
3
: a marked thinning of a vein or bed
See pinch defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PINCH
15th century
Synonym Discussion of PINCH
juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, straits, crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs. juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events <an important juncture in our country's history>. exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation <provide for exigencies>. emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster <the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies>. contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence <contingency plans>. pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency <come through in a pinch>. straits applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult <in dire straits>. crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference <a crisis of confidence>.
3pinch
adjective
: used as a substitute for another player
: made by a pinch hitter
Full Definition of PINCH
1
: substitute <pinch runner>
2
: hit by a pinch hitter <a pinch homer>
See pinch defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PINCH
1912
PINCHED Defined for Kids
1pinch
verb \ˈpinch\
pinchedpinch·ing
Definition of PINCH for Kids
1
: to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument <My aunt pinched my cheeks.>
2
: to squeeze painfully <I pinched my finger in a door.>
3
: to break off by squeezing with the thumb and fingers <Pinch off a bit of dough.>
4
: to cause to look thin or shrunken <… I saw Dad run toward me with his face all pinched with anger. — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>
— pinch pennies
: to be thrifty or stingy
2pinch
noun
Definition of PINCH for Kids
1
: a time of emergency <He always helps out in a pinch.>
2
: an act of squeezing skin between the thumb and fingers
3
: as much as may be picked up between the finger and the thumb : a very small amount <a pinch of salt>
Medical Dictionary
pinch
transitive verb \ˈpinch\
Medical Definition of PINCH
: to squeeze or compress (a part of the body) usually in a painful or discomforting way <a pinched nerve caused by entrapment>
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