PRESS GANG Definition & Meaning

press gang

or ��g��Բ�

noun

a body of persons under the command of an officer, formerly employed to impress others for service, especially in the navy or army.

press-gang

[ pres-gang ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to force (a person) into military or naval service.
to coerce (a person) into taking a certain action, political stand, etc.:
to be press-ganged into endorsing a candidate.

press gang

noun

(formerly) a detachment of men used to press civilians for service in the navy or army

verb

to force (a person) to join the navy or army by a press gang
to induce (a person) to perform a duty by forceful persuasion
his friends press-ganged him into joining the committee

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of press gang¹

First recorded in 1685–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He either issues puffs of air or decisions with the nuance of a press gang.

From

But Sir Roger Gale said that care homes were already closing at an "alarming rate" and that it wouldn't be possible to "press gang" people into working in the sector.

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Dorothy "Dolly" Peel was a fishwife and smuggler who protected local sailors from the press gangs.

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He joined a straggling column of fugitive children, mostly boys, who trekked hundreds of miles east to Ethiopia to escape the war and rebel press gangs.

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A quartet of ensemble singers doubled as her press gang, merrily wreaking havoc on Pygmalion’s relationship with Céphise and interacting — as far as is possible — with some of the celebrity wax figures around the room.

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