Squeezing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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squeezing

[หˆskwiหzษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

physical action

Applying pressure to something in order to extract liquid or reduce its size. This action is often done by using the hands or a tool.

Synonyms

compress, extract, press.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
squeezing

Used when applying pressure to make something smaller or to extract liquid from an object, often with hands.

  • She was squeezing the juice out of the lemon.
  • He felt a squeezing sensation in his chest.
press

Commonly used when applying continuous force to achieve a result, like creating prints or ironing clothes.

  • She pressed the button to start the machine.
  • He carefully pressed his shirt for the interview.
compress

Typically used in technical or medical contexts to describe the act of pressing something into a smaller space or reducing size.

  • They used a machine to compress the cardboard.
  • She applied a cold compress to the injury.
extract

Often used to describe removing a substance or element from a mixture, usually involving a process or technique.

  • The scientist was able to extract DNA from the sample.
  • He tried to extract the splinter from his finger.

Examples of usage

  • She was squeezing the juice out of the orange.
  • He squeezed the toothpaste onto the toothbrush.
Context #2 | Noun

informal conversation

A situation where a person is in a tight spot or experiencing pressure, often in a social or emotional context.

Synonyms

constriction, pressure, tight spot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
squeezing

Used to describe the action of firmly compressing something from different sides, typically with hands or a tool.

  • She was squeezing the toothpaste tube to get the last bit out.
  • I felt a squeezing sensation in my chest.
pressure

Refers to the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it, or the feeling of stress or urgency. Can have negative connotations when referring to stress.

  • He felt a lot of pressure to meet the deadline.
  • The water pressure in the shower was just right.
constriction

Often used in a medical or scientific context to refer to the narrowing of a passage or vessel, or in situations where something is being tightened or restricted.

  • The doctor noted a constriction in the patient's airway.
  • Constriction of blood vessels can lead to increased blood pressure.
tight spot

Informal phrase used to describe a difficult or challenging situation, often implying that solutions are hard to find. It has a mildly negative connotation.

  • He's in a tight spot after losing his job.
  • She found herself in a tight spot when she missed the last train home.

Examples of usage

  • After the argument, he felt like he was in a squeezing situation.
  • She found herself in a squeezing dilemma.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Squeezing can change the shape of objects; for example, squeezing a balloon makes it smaller on the ends and bigger in the middle.
  • In chemistry, squeezing is important for experiments where pressure can change the behavior of gases and liquids.
  • The human body uses squeezing as a function in muscles, like when squeezing the hand to grip something tightly.

Psychology

  • The concept of squeezing can be linked to stress relief; people often squeeze stress balls to calm down.
  • Squeezing can also represent emotional tension; the phrase 'squeezed out' might describe feeling overwhelmed.
  • In relationships, people may use squeezing gestures as a means of expressing affection or support.

Pop Culture

  • In popular cooking shows, contestants often 'squeeze' lemons or limes for flavor, showcasing culinary techniques.
  • Animated characters in cartoons often hilariously squeeze objects, like squeezing the juice out of a fruit or squeezing someoneโ€™s nose.
  • In music, the phrase 'squeeze' can refer to the action in several song lyrics, symbolizing confidence or taking control.

Everyday Life

  • Squeezing is common when making fresh juice; many people enjoy squeezing oranges for breakfast.
  • People often squeeze toothpaste from a tube, making it a routine part of daily hygiene.
  • A popular workout technique includes squeezing various muscles for strength training, demonstrating the action in fitness.

Origin of 'squeezing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word has roots in the Middle English 'squeezen', stemming from the Old English 'cwysan', meaning 'to press' or 'to twist'.
  • In the 14th century, 'squeeze' appeared in literature, indicating a physical action of pressing tightly.
  • The term evolved in usage to include emotional contexts, like 'squeezing someone's hand' for comfort.

The word 'squeezing' originates from the Middle English word 'queysen', which means 'to press, crush'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to describe the action of applying pressure to something. Over time, 'squeezing' has evolved to also represent informal situations of pressure or constraint. The word has a versatile usage in both physical and metaphorical contexts.


See also: squeeze, squeezed.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,394, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.