button

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /'bʌtən/
• SAMPA: /"bVt.@n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: but‧ton

Noun

Singular button

Plural buttons

1. (countable) A button is a round object that can be pushed through clothing so that the clothing stays on.

   Sarah's sweater doesn't work anymore because the buttons popped off.

2. (countable) A button is a switch that is turned on by pressing it.

   I pressed the button to turn on the television.

3. (US) (countable) A button is a badge that can be worn of clothing and is put onto the clothing with a pin to hold it in place.

   I have a "Vote for Bush" button.

4. (poker) (uncountable) If a poker player has the button, he is the last person to act on that hand.

• 
  Buttons for clothing
• 
  A button switch
• 
  Elevator buttons

Related words

• buttonless
• buttonhole
• buttonwood
• panic button
• start button

Verb

Plain form button

Third-person singular buttons

Past tense buttoned

Past participle buttoned

Present participle buttoning

1. If you button something, you fasten it with a button.

   Button up your coat!

Antonyms

• unbutton