a weightlifting exercise in which one lies supine on a bench and with both hands pushes a barbell or fixed weight upward from chest level to arm's length and then lowers it back to chest level: usually repeated in sets.
2.
one complete repetition of this exercise.
3.
this exercise as an event in weightlifting competition.
Origin
1975-80
bench-press
[bench-pres] /ˈbɛntʃˌprɛs/
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
to perform a bench press with (a weight):
He is small but can bench-press more than 400 pounds.
British Dictionary definitions for bench press
bench press
noun
1.
a weight-training exercise in which a person lies on a bench and pushes a barbell upwards with both hands from chest level until the arms are straight, then lowers it again
verb
2.
(intransitive) to carry out one or more bench presses