Pronunciation: ' skw ē z
Function: verb
Inflected Form: squeezed ; squeez · ing
Etymology: alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwy ̄ san; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps
Date: circa 1601
transitive verb
1 a : to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : COMPRESS b : to extract or emit under pressure c : to force or thrust by compression
2 a (1) : to get by extortion (2) : to deprive by extortion b : to cause economic hardship to c : to reduce the amount of < squeeze s profits>
3 : to crowd into a limited area
4 : to gain or win by a narrow margin
5 : to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6 : to score by means of a squeeze play
intransitive verb
1 : to give way before pressure
2 : to exert pressure also : to practice extortion or oppression
3 : to force one's way < squeeze through a door>
4 : to pass, win, or get by narrowly
– squeez · abil · i · ty \ ˌ skw ē -z ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– squeez · able \ ' skw ē -z ə -b ə l \ adjective
– squeez · er noun