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

But the tough carbon-fluorine bonds in the compounds resist being torn apart, leading to expensive remediation schemes that rely on powerful chemicals and high temperatures and pressures.

From Science Magazine

This marks the highest rate of food insecurity in almost a decade, underscoring the growing pressures on American families, especially going into the holiday season.

From Salon

"Sometimes we feel pressure to, but we would rather leave this to the experts."

From BBC

Gatland added that he understands "the pressures of international rugby with performances and results".

From BBC

At energy firm Utilita’s Hampshire call centre on a very cold day earlier this week, I witnessed the cost of living pressures on the frontline.

From BBC

Related Words

• compel
• constrain
• insist
• press
• push