¦ verb
1. firmly press from opposite or all sides, typically with the fingers.
extract (liquid or a soft substance) from something by squeezing.
2. (squeeze in/into/through) manage to get into or through (a restricted space).
(squeeze someone/thing in) manage to find time for someone or something.
3. (usu. squeeze something out of/from) obtain from someone with difficulty.
informal pressurize (someone) to supply something.
(squeeze someone/thing out) force someone or something out of an activity or post.
have a damaging or restricting effect on: the economy is being squeezed by foreign debt repayments.
Bridge force (an opponent) to discard a guarding or potentially winning card.
4. (squeeze something off) informal shoot a round or shot from a gun.
take a photograph.
¦ noun
1. an act of squeezing or the state of being squeezed.
dated a crowded social gathering.
2. a hug.
3. a small amount of liquid extracted by squeezing.
4. a strong financial demand or pressure.
informal money illegally extorted or exacted from someone.
5. a moulding or cast of an object, or a copy of a design, obtained by pressing a pliable substance round or over it.
6. (often main squeeze) N. Amer. informal a person's girlfriend or boyfriend.
7. Bridge a tactic that forces an opponent to discard an important card.
8. (also squeeze play) Baseball an act of hitting a ball short to the infield to enable a runner on third base to start for home as soon as the ball is pitched.
Phrases
put the squeeze on informal coerce or pressurize.
Derivatives
squeezable adjective
squeezer noun
Origin
C16: from earlier squise, from obs. queise, of unknown origin.