1. a group of sailors or officers authorized to forcibly recruit men into naval service
Usage: historical; chiefly British

1. to force or coerce someone into service or participation, especially military or naval service
Usage: historical; often used figuratively in modern contexts

Examples

• In the 18th century, the British Navy relied on pressgangs to recruit sailors for long voyages.
• Young men feared being pressganged into service during wartime.
• The captain sent out a pressgang to find crew members for the ship.
• They were pressganged into the military against their will.
• The government pressganged workers into the construction project.
• Historical records describe how pressgangs operated in port cities.