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

Piezoelectricity, which translates from Greek to mean pressing electricity, usually found in ceramics or polymers, is also present in human biomolecules.

From Science Daily

The most pressing are whether City bring in a replacement for Rodri in January and whether to offer a new contract to De Bruyne.

From BBC

This is a pressing concern in a super-aging society like Japan where -- while people live longer -- without proper muscle strength, quality of life can be drastically diminished.

From Science Daily

As we hurtle towards Mariah Carey's most lucrative holiday, families all over the UK will be pressing play on Christmas films such as Love Actually to get themselves into the festive spirit.

From BBC

Many of us are experiencing tremendous pain right now; physical, spiritual, emotional or existential; with the weight of the world pressing down.

From Salon

Related Words

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