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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | boton, from boter; BUTT2 |
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Related topics:but‧ton1 S2
[countable]
[countable]1DC a small round flat object on your shirt, coat etc which you pass through a hole to fasten it : 
small pearl buttonsA button was missing from his shirt.
small pearl buttonsA button was missing from his shirt.2TD a small part or area of a machine that you press to make it do something :
3TD a small area on a computer screen, especially on a website, that you click on in order to perform an action
4 American EnglishDC a small metal or plastic pin with a message or picture on it [= badge British English] presidential campaign buttons
presidential campaign buttons6 exactly right, or at exactly the right time : She got to our house at two, on the button.
on the button
especially American English informalShe got to our house at two, on the button.7 to get what you want by behaving in a clever way : She seemed to push all the right buttons.
press/push (all) the right buttons
She seemed to push all the right buttons.8 to make someone angry by doing or saying something that annoys them : He really knows how to push Dad's buttons.
press/push somebody's buttons
He really knows how to push Dad's buttons.9 used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use because it is controlled by pushing a button : The instrument can gauge a distance with the push of a button.
at/with the push/touch of a button
The instrument can gauge a distance with the push of a button.
