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prensa

pren-sa/ˈpɾensa/

“prensa” means “the press” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

the press, the media

Also: journalism
NounfB1
A cartoon illustration of a journalist holding a large, simple microphone, symbolizing the news media.

📝 In Action

La prensa estaba esperando al presidente fuera del edificio.

B1

The press was waiting for the president outside the building.

Necesitamos hablar con la prensa sobre este nuevo descubrimiento.

B2

We need to talk to the media about this new discovery.

Trabaja en la prensa local escribiendo artículos de opinión.

B1

He works in the local press writing opinion pieces.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • los medios de comunicación (the means of communication)
  • el periodismo (journalism)

Common Collocations

  • conferencia de prensa – press conference
  • libertad de prensa – freedom of the press
  • agencia de prensa – news agency

press, vise

Also: printing press
NounfA2
A sturdy, simple mechanical machine press with a large piston descending to squeeze a small object on a platform.

📝 In Action

El mecánico puso la pieza en la prensa para sujetarla.

A2

The mechanic put the piece in the vise to hold it.

Usan una gran prensa para hacer aceite de oliva.

B1

They use a large press to make olive oil.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • máquina de prensar (pressing machine)

Common Collocations

  • prensa hidráulica – hydraulic press
  • prensa de vino – wine press

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: prensa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'prensa' to mean a physical tool or machine?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
prensar(to press, to squeeze) — Verb
imprimir(to print) — Verb
imprenta(printing house) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the vulgar Latin verb *pressare*, which meant 'to press' or 'to weigh down'. This original meaning gave rise to both the machine (the press) and the output of the machine (printed matter/the media).

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: pressaFrench: presseEnglish: press

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the word for the media and the word for the machine the same?

They share the same origin! The media ('the press') got its name because the news and written articles were originally produced using a 'printing press,' which is a large machine used for pressing ink onto paper.

Can 'prensa' ever mean 'pressure' or 'compression'?

Yes, but usually only in technical or regional contexts. When you mean figurative pressure (like social pressure), you should use 'presión' instead. When you mean physical squeezing, 'prensa' or the verb 'prensar' might be used.