punch

/pəntʃ/

/pəntʃ/

Other forms: punched; punching; punches

To punch is to hit hard with a closed fist. Boxers practice their sport when they punch a punching bag. Punch is also a party drink. But if you punch someone at the party, you won’t get any.

Most of us occasionally imagine what it would feel like to punch a bully. You also punch when you make round holes in paper (with a "hole punch"), and you "punch the clock," or "punch in" when you officially register that you've started working for the day. Punch is also a fruity, drink — this potable punch comes from Sanskrit for "five," for the five ingredients in a similar sweet drink. There are also five fingers in a fist. Hum.

Definitions of punch

1. verb

   deliver a quick blow to
   “he punched me in the stomach”

   synonyms: plug

   type of:

   hit

   deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument
2. verb

   drive forcibly as if by a punch
   “the nail punched through the wall”

   type of:

   thrust

   push forcefully
3. noun

   (boxing) a blow with the fist
   synonyms: biff, clout, lick, poke, slug

   types:

   counter, counterpunch, parry

   a return punch (especially by a boxer)

   KO punch, Sunday punch, haymaker, knockout punch

   a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing

   hook

   a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent

   jab

   a quick short straight punch

   rabbit punch

   a short chopping blow to the back of the neck

   sucker punch

   an unexpected punch

   roundhouse

   a hook delivered with an exaggerated swing

   type of:

   blow, buffet

   a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
4. verb

   make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
   synonyms: perforate

   type of:

   pierce

   make a hole into
5. noun

   a tool for making holes or indentations
   synonyms: puncher

   types:

   center punch

   a tool with a conical point that is used to make indentations in metal (especially to mark points for drilling)

   punch pliers

   punch consisting of pliers for perforating paper or leather

   type of:

   tool

   an implement used in the practice of a vocation
6. noun

   an iced mixed drink usually containing alcohol and prepared for multiple servings; normally served in a punch bowl
   types:

   fruit punch

   a punch made of fruit juices mixed with water or soda water (with or without alcohol)

   milk punch

   a punch made of spirits and milk and sugar and spices

   cup

   a punch served in a pitcher instead of a punch bowl

   wassail

   a punch made of sweetened ale or wine heated with spices and roasted apples; especially at Christmas

   fish house punch

   a punch made of rum and brandy and water or tea sweetened with sugar syrup

   May wine

   a punch made of Moselle and sugar and sparkling water or champagne flavored with sweet woodruff

   eggnog

   a punch made of sweetened milk or cream mixed with eggs and usually alcoholic liquor

   glogg

   Scandinavian punch made of claret and aquavit with spices and raisins and orange peel and sugar

   champagne cup

   a punch containing a sparkling wine

   claret cup

   a punch made of claret and brandy with lemon juice and sugar and sometimes sherry or curacao and fresh fruit

   type of:

   mixed drink

   made of two or more ingredients