pressing

[ pres-ing ]

adjective

1. urgent; demanding immediate attention:

   a pressing need.

   Synonyms: imperative, critical, vital, crucial

noun

1. any phonograph record produced in a record-molding press from a master or a stamper.
2. a number of such records produced at one time:

   The fifth pressing of his hit song has sold out.

pressing

/ ˈprɛsɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding immediate attention
2. persistent or importunate

noun

1. a large specified number of gramophone records produced at one time from a master record
2. a component formed in a press
3. football the tactic of trying to stay very close to the opposition when they are in possession of the ball

Derived Forms

• ˈpressingly, adverb
• ˈpressingness, noun

Other Words From

• pressing·ly adverb
• pressing·ness noun
• non·pressing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pressing¹

1300–50; Middle English presing (gerund); press ¹, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

While the pitch was no minefield there was certainly enough to keep the bowlers interested, so having got England three down early, West Indies would have been confident of pressing home their advantage.

From BBC

He placed partial blame on prosecutors for not pressing charges in many low-level crimes — a policy that is expected to change next month when Nathan Hochman takes over as L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

But once Zuckerman was sworn in, Cox said, he began pressing the immigration question again.

From Salon

And without a pressing geopolitical threat, Congress may be unwilling to spend more on space exploration, as it did during the 1960s with the Apollo program, Forczyk said.

From Los Angeles Times

And at poorly performing trusts, government and NHS England "deep dives" will identify the most pressing issues and how they can be resolved.

From BBC

Related Words

• acute
• compelling
• critical
• crucial
• demanding
• dire
• immediate
• imperative
• insistent
• serious
• vital