bench-press

IPA/ˈbentʃ pres/
IPA/ˈbentʃ pres/

bench-press — noun

1. a weight-training movement done by lying face-up on a padded bench, planting you

1.nounB2
Definition

a weight-training movement done by lying face-up on a padded bench, planting your feet flat on the ground, and raising a loaded barbell from your chest by extending both arms fully upward.

Example

Diego adds two extra plates to the bar every time he does the bench press.

collocation: do the bench press

The trainer showed Priya the correct elbow position during the bench press.

preposition: during the bench press

Common collocations
  • do the bench press
  • perform a bench press
  • bench press technique
  • bench press record
  • sets of bench press
Synonyms
  • chest press

    broader term that includes seated chest-press machines; bench press specifically implies lying on a bench with a free barbell

Grammar Patterns

the bench press

a bench press

bench press + verb

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when referring to the activity in general ('He trains bench press on Mondays'), but countable when referring to a single repetition or set ('He did five bench presses in a row').

Common Mistakes

She did bench press with the wrong technique.
She used the wrong technique for the bench press.
In the noun sense, use 'the bench press' or 'bench presses' rather than bare 'bench press' as a mass noun in most contexts.

2. a piece of gym equipment consisting of a long padded seat and a metal frame that

2.nounB2
Definition

a piece of gym equipment consisting of a long padded seat and a metal frame that holds a weighted bar above the lifter's chest.

Example

The new bench press has safety clips that catch the bar if you lose your grip.

collocation: new bench press

Amara wiped the sweat off the bench press after finishing her final set of repetitions.

Common collocations
  • set up a bench press
  • use the bench press
  • bench press station
  • adjust the bench press
  • bench press equipment
Synonyms
  • bench press station

    more specific term referring to the whole setup including the rack; slightly more formal

  • bench press rack

    emphasises the frame that holds the bar more than the seating bench

Grammar Patterns

a bench press

the bench press

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (EXERCISE): when you say 'He walked over to the bench press', you mean the piece of equipment; when you say 'He did the bench press', you mean the exercise. The equipment sense is always a countable noun.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new bench press for doing bench press.
I bought a new bench press for doing bench presses.
The equipment is countable (a bench press); the exercise can be used as a countable plural referring to repetitions.

bench-press — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Bench press" specifically names the exercise performed lying on a bench with a barbell, using both arms together. "Chest press" is a broader term that includes both the barbell bench press and machine-based pressing movements — it focuses on the muscles worked rather than the exact setup. "Dumbbell press" uses two separate dumbbells instead of a single barbell, which requires more stabilisation from each arm independently. "Push-ups" work similar chest and arm muscles but use body weight rather than external weights, and the movement pushes the body away from the floor instead of pushing a bar away from the chest. Of these four, only the bench press requires a spotter for heavy loads because the bar can trap the lifter if they fail mid-lift.

bench presschest pressdumbbell presspush-up

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • bench press record
  • bench press competition
  • bench press routine

Prepositions

  • on a bench press
  • at the bench press station

Etymology

EnglishEnglish

The compound noun "bench press" appeared in American weightlifting contexts in the early 20th century, combining "bench" (a long padded seat) with "press" (a pushing movement against resistance). The exercise gained popularity through competitive powerlifting in the mid-1900s, where the bench press became one of the three standard lifts alongside the squat and deadlift.

First known use

1953

1953, in the meaning defined above