squeeze

I UK [skwiːz] / US [skwɪz] verb
Word forms "squeeze":
present tense I/you/we/they squeeze he/she/it squeezes present participle squeezing past tense squeezed past participle squeezed
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1)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to press something firmly, especially with your hands

Ruth smiled, squeezing his hand affectionately.

I took a firm grip and squeezed tightly, but nothing happened.

b) [transitive] to press something such as a liquid out of something

She squeezed some cream onto her hands.

freshly-squeezed orange juice

2) [transitive] if you squeeze your eyes shut, you close them tightly

3)

a) [intransitive] to get through or into a small space

He had squeezed through a hole in the fence.

Passengers were trying to squeeze onto the bus.

b) [transitive] to fit or move someone or something through or into a small space

We can only squeeze one more thing into the bag.

The letters were squeezed together so you could hardly read them.

4) [transitive] to make someone have financial trouble, for example by raising prices, cutting a supply of money, or increasing competition

Supermarkets are accused of squeezing both customers and suppliers.

Phrasal verbs:

- squeeze in

- squeeze out

II UK [skwiːz] / US [skwɪz] noun
Word forms "squeeze":
singular squeeze plural squeezes

1)

a) [countable] the action of squeezing something

He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

b) [countable] a small amount of something that is squeezed out of something

a squeeze of lemon juice

2) [singular] a situation in which a lot of people or things are squeezed into a space

It was a squeeze to get everyone into the car.

3) [singular] economics a situation in which there is strict control over money or goods

a squeeze on costs/profits/wages

put a/the squeeze on someone/something:

The government's putting the squeeze on business profits.

feel the squeeze:

The economy is said to be improving, but many of us are still feeling the squeeze.

4) [countable] mainly American informal old-fashioned a boyfriend, or a girlfriend