pressure

[ presh-er ]

noun

1. the exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, etc., in contact with it:

   the pressure of earth against a wall.

2. Physics. force per unit area. : P Compare stress ( def 6 ).
3. Meteorology. atmospheric pressure.
4. Electricity. electromotive force.
5. the state of being pressed or compressed.
6. harassment; oppression:

   the pressures of daily life.

7. a constraining or compelling force or influence:

   the social pressures of city life;

   financial pressure.

8. urgency, as of affairs or business:

   He works well under pressure.

9. Obsolete. that which is impressed.

verb (used with object)

, pres·sured, pres·sur·ing.

1. to force (someone) toward a particular end; influence:

   They pressured him into accepting the contract.

2. pressurize.

pressure

/ ˈprɛʃə /

noun

1. the state of pressing or being pressed
2. the exertion of force by one body on the surface of another
3. a moral force that compels

   to bring pressure to bear

4. an urgent claim or demand or series of urgent claims or demands

   to work under pressure

5. a burdensome condition that is hard to bear

   the pressure of grief

6. the normal force applied to a unit area of a surface, usually measured in pascals (newtons per square metre), millibars, torr, or atmospheres pP
7. short for atmospheric pressure blood pressure

verb

1. tr to constrain or compel, as by the application of moral force
2. another word for pressurize

pressure

/ prĕsh′ər /

1. The force per unit area that one region of a gas, liquid, or solid exerts on another. Pressure is usually measured in Pascal units, atmospheres, or pounds per square inch.
2. ◆ A substance is said to have negative pressure if some other substance exerts more force per unit area on it than vice versa. Its value is simply the negative of the pressure exerted by the other substance.

pressure

1. The force exerted on a given area. ( See atmospheric pressure .)

Notes

The most familiar measure of pressure is psi (pounds per square inch), used to rate pressure in automobile and bicycle tires.

Derived Forms

• ˈpressureless, adjective

Other Words From

• pressure·less adjective
• inter·pressure adjective
• non·pressure noun adverb
• super·pressure noun adjective
• under·pressure noun
• un·pressured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pressure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun), from Latin pressūra; press ¹, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of pressure¹

C14: from Late Latin pressūra a pressing, from Latin premere to press

Example Sentences

"We always feel pressure to win," said the 34-year-old.

From BBC

Despite a loss in Florida, this would hypothetically ease the pressure on abortion funds by expanding access.

From Salon

Do expect them to pressure agencies that contract with Musk’s companies, and to intimidate those offices that are either investigating or suing said companies.

From Slate

This could renew pressure around vice chancellors pay, even though it is a tiny fraction of the spending of universities with a turnover of £500m or more.

From BBC

This has led to lower recruitment and increased pressure in universities that accept middling grades, and some smaller institutions.

From BBC

Related Words

• compel
• constrain
• insist
• press
• push