bench pressn.
/ˈbɛn(t)ʃ prɛs/, U.S. /ˈbɛn(t)ʃ ˌprɛs/ 1. A press (press n.1 1a) designed to be mounted on a workbench.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for altering dimensions > [noun] > press > other presses
rolling press1785
packing press1796
steam press1801
bench press1852
platen press1854
hot press1943
1852 Godey's Lady's Bk. Nov. 408/2 The color is fixed by placing the books in the bench-press, and passing an agate burnisher over the edges.
1894 Metal Worker 3 Mar. 41/1 In contradistinction to these floor presses..are the bench presses, so-called.
1941 Pop. Mech. Aug. 1 a/1 (advt.) Bench Presses in 3, 1 and 1/2 ton sizes.
2001 E. Olver Jewelry Making Techniques Bk. 16/4 For pressing..consider a manual bench press.
2. Weightlifting and Bodybuilding. An exercise in which a person, lying face upwards on a bench with feet on the floor, raises a barbell by extending both arms upward from the chest; (also) a competitive event involving this.
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1946 Times-Picayune (New Orleans) 18 Feb. 14/1 In addition, Samuels broke the world record in the bench press with a total of 335 pounds, bettering by five pounds the old mark.
1949 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 30 Mar. 32/4 The events will be dead lift, two arm curl, deep knee bend, bench press, and one arm snatch.
1988 Body Plus Spring 10/3 The most popular exercise in the world, the ‘bench press’, can only be performed safely and effectively on an exercise bench.
2003 Powerlifting USA Feb. 26/1 The loading for the bench press is similar to that for squatting, but, of course, it must be somewhat lighter due to the smaller muscle groups used.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
bench pressv.
/ˈbɛn(t)ʃ prɛs/, U.S. /ˈbɛn(t)ʃ ˌprɛs/ Weightlifting and Bodybuilding.
transitive. To lift (a weight on a barbell) by performing a bench press. Also occasionally intransitive.
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1953 Tomorrow's Man (Chicago) Mar. 35/2 He has..bench pressed 305 pounds.
1954 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 15 Feb. 34/2 He bench pressed 360 pounds and squatted with 460 pounds.
1985 Bodypower June 14/3 If bench pressing, take the weight into outstretched arms from the racks.
1988 Sunday Times 4 Sept. a24/7 She is embarrassed to admit she can bench press 225lb.
2003 Black Men Oct. 68/1 There is an unlucky list of men who tried to bench press more weight than humanly possible and accidentally crushed their windpipes when the bar came crashing down across their throats.
Derivatives
ˈbench presser n.
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1964 Sport & Pastime (India) 11 Apr. 16/2 He placed second to the world's greatest bench-presser, Pat Casey, with a 420-lb. effort.
1994 New Yorker 21 Feb. 80/1 Cutler..has a big, bulging, bench presser's body.
2003 Powerlifting USA Feb. 36/1 He commended Tony Atlas and Dino Bravo as accomplished bench pressers.
ˈbench pressing n.
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1954 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 7 Dec. 10/3 Exhibitions in bench-pressing will be given by Roy DeSouza and George Rattray.
2003 Powerlifting USA Feb. 36/1 He commended Tony Atlas and Dino Bravo as accomplished bench pressers, while not being a fan of bench pressing himself.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1852v.1953