1. A group of people employed to forcibly recruit men into military or naval service.
Usage: historical; chiefly British

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

Examples

• The pressgangs roamed the docks looking for able-bodied sailors to recruit for the navy.
• During the 18th century, British pressgangs were notorious for their brutal tactics.
• They were pressganged into military service against their will.
• The captain pressganged several men from the tavern to fill out his crew.
• Modern companies sometimes pressgang employees into unpaid overtime.
• He felt pressganged into joining the committee despite his objections.