but·ton
| \ ˈbə-tᵊn
\
\
Definition of button
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a small knob or disk secured to an article (as of clothing) and used as a fastener by passing it through a buttonhole or loop
b
: a usually circular metal or plastic badge bearing a stamped design or printed slogan
campaign button
2
: something that resembles a button: such as
a
: any of various parts or growths of a plant or of an animal: such as
(1)
: bud
(3)
: the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle
b
: a small globule of metal remaining after fusion (as in assaying)
c
: a guard on the tip of a fencing foil
3a
: push button
b
: something (such as a push button) that has the real or symbolic capability of initiating a catastrophe (such as a nuclear attack)
has his finger on the button
c
: a hidden sensitivity that can be manipulated to produce a desired response
knows how to push my buttons
d
: a usually box-shaped computer icon that initiates a specific software function
4
: the point of the chin especially as a target for a knockout blow
: exactly
arrived at noon on the button
also
: exactly on target : on the nose
the estimate was right on the button
button
verb
buttoned;
buttoning\ ˈbət-niŋ
, ˈbə-tᵊn-iŋ \
, ˈbə-tᵊn-iŋ \
Definition of button (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to furnish or decorate with buttons
2a
: to pass (a button) through a buttonhole or loop
b
: to close or fasten with buttons
—often used with up button up your overcoat
3a
: to close (the lips) to prevent speech
button your lip
b
: to close or seal tightly
—usually used with up button up the house for winter
: to have buttons for fastening
this dress buttons at the back
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Other Words from button
Noun
buttonless
\ ˈbə-tᵊn-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
buttoner
\ ˈbət-nər
, ˈbə-tᵊn-ər \
noun
, ˈbə-tᵊn-ər \
noun
Examples of button in a Sentence
Noun
a dress with buttons down the back I lost a button on my jacket. He took off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt. Will you please push the ‘play’ button on the CD player? With a fax machine, you can send a document across the country with the touch of a button. If the information on the registration form is correct, click the ‘OK’ button.Verb
He rarely buttons the top button on his shirt. Will you button the baby's jacket for her? The skirt buttons on the side.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
So that day in 1942, the Marine recruiters in red and white uniforms with shiny buttons showed up at the school's Old Main. — Betty Reid, azcentral, "To Chester Nez, last of the original Code Talkers, the words are more than a code," 29 Aug. 2019 With the Iota off, simply hold the power button for six seconds. — Andrew Skurka, Outside Online, "Review: Black Diamond Iota Headlamp," 29 Aug. 2019 From button sizes, to the nuances of patternmaking, to the importance of selecting the right fabrics. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Henning Is Bringing Size-Inclusivity to Your 9-to-5 Wardrobe," 29 Aug. 2019 This '90s-style shrunken ivory cardigan works perfectly for winter thanks to its ribbed texture and contrasting button detail. — Kami Phillips, CNN Underscored, "10 white styles you should totally wear after Labor Day," 29 Aug. 2019 The buttons and sticks on the Switch Lite maintain the same comfortable size and positioning as the original Switch, for the most part. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Hands-on: The Switch Lite is a smaller, more comfortable handheld," 27 Aug. 2019 The original Nintendo Switch has four, separated directional buttons on the left hand side, but the Switch Lite swaps these out for a control pad, which could be an enjoyable throwback for some. — Shannon Liao, CNN, "Nintendo Switch Lite: Remaking a hit for gamers on the go," 27 Aug. 2019 An elderly woman on oxygen poked at one slot machine’s buttons. — Joshua Miller, BostonGlobe.com, "A year later, MGM Springfield slow to make inroads in crowded gambling market," 26 Aug. 2019 But the world is happening and there is no pause button. — Georgia Frances King, Quartz, "Proof of a successful life isn’t fame—it’s getting something done," 22 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
In the heat of a D.C. summer, men remain buttoned tight under jackets and neckties. — Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, "A day in the life of a United States senator: Lisa Murkowski," 18 Aug. 2019 Johnson was notably cautious and buttoned-up during his leadership campaign, but that did not stop him from throwing dead cats. — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, "Just How Crazy Is Boris Johnson?," 24 July 2019 Nowadays, trekkers in Thangu Valley are equipped with snow-proof tents and buttoned up in state-of-the-art clothing to protect them from the harsh conditions that characterize that strip of northern India. — Florence Derrick, Condé Nast Traveler, "Meet the Woman Recreating the Journeys of History's Forgotten Female Explorers," 8 Aug. 2019 The company reorganized its head office, brought in leadership familiar with meeting regulatory requirements and buttoned up standard operating procedures, Berman said. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, "Veteran cannabis company Harborside joins wave of US firms listing on Canadian exchange," 10 June 2019 The company reorganized its head office, brought in leadership familiar with meeting regulatory requirements and buttoned up standard operating procedures, Berman said. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, "Veteran cannabis company Harborside joins wave of US firms listing on Canadian exchange," 10 June 2019 The company reorganized its head office, brought in leadership familiar with meeting regulatory requirements and buttoned up standard operating procedures, Berman said. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, "Veteran cannabis company Harborside joins wave of US firms listing on Canadian exchange," 10 June 2019 Which means the most buttoned-down operation in professional sports need not worry about opening up their inner workings. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Watching Detroit Lions squirm on 'Hard Knocks' is what we all deserved," 14 June 2019 The company reorganized its head office, brought in leadership familiar with meeting regulatory requirements and buttoned up standard operating procedures, Berman said. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, "Veteran cannabis company Harborside joins wave of US firms listing on Canadian exchange," 10 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'button.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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