pressure

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noun pres·sure \ˈpre-shər\

Definition of pressure

1a : the burden of physical or mental distressb : the constraint of circumstance : the weight of social or economic imposition
2 : the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression
3 archaic : impression, stamp
4a : the action of a force against an opposing forceb : the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by its areac : electromotive force
5 : the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention : exigency people who work well under pressure
6 : the force of selection that results from one or more agents and tends to reduce a population of organisms population pressure predation pressure
7 : the pressure exerted in every direction by the weight of the atmosphere
8 : a sensation aroused by moderate compression of a body part or surface

pressureless

adjective

See pressure defined for English-language learners

See pressure defined for kids

Examples of pressure in a Sentence

Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
the pressure of the compressed air inside the chamber
The animal's jaws can exert a pressure of more than 750 pounds per square inch.
The horse will respond to the slightest pressure of a rider's knee.
The fruit yields to gentle pressure when it's ripe.
the normal air pressure at sea level
He gave in to the social pressures to act and dress like everybody else.
She felt a constant pressure to earn more money.

Recent Examples of pressure from the Web

Featuring heavy hitters like Joan Smalls, Romee Strijd, Maria Borges, Andreea Diaconu, Charlee Fraser, and Lameka Fox, each video explores topics like managing the pressures of the industry and staying true to yourself.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "Watch Models Bare Their Souls for Brandon Maxwell," 19 July 2017
The researchers suggest that those differences may be the result of evolutionary pressure.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "What Is the Key to Predict Animal Speed?," 19 July 2017
At a very high level, both America and China agree that there should be some combination of pressure and dialogue to denuclearize North Korea.

— s. nathan park, The Atlantic, "South Korea's President May Be Just the Man to Solve the North Korea Crisis," 18 July 2017
Rauner's decision to ratchet up pressure on the school funding issue also offered a distraction from the turmoil in his office, which has spilled into a second week.

— kim geiger, chicagotribune.com, "Rauner vows to veto education funding bill, demands Democrats send it to him," 17 July 2017
D.C. Public Schools has reported a dramatic decline in suspensions at a time when school systems around the country have been under pressure to take a less punitive approach to discipline.

— alejandra matos, Washington Post, "Some D.C. high schools are reporting only a fraction of suspensions," 17 July 2017
Risk factors linked to the mother include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and obesity.

— The Economist, "Progress pausedThe decline in mortality among black babies has stopped," 15 July 2017
And the pressures from the real estate market have led to entrepreneurs spreading out.

— matthew segal, Los Angeles Magazine, "One of the Keys to Enjoying L.A. Is Driving Farther Than a Reasonable Person Should," 14 July 2017
As to why the dog held on for so long, the dogs also are not trained to release on a verbal command -- instead an officer has to apply pressure to release the dog’s jaw.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Police Dog Continues Attacking Black Man That Was Already Subdued And Handcuffed," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pressure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pressure

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pressura, from Latin, action of pressing, pressure, from pressus, past participle of premere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

pressure

verb pres·sure

Definition of pressure

pressured

;

pressuring

play \ˈpre-sh(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to apply pressure to
2 : pressurize
3 : to cook in a pressure cooker

See pressure defined for English-language learners

Examples of pressure in a Sentence

his father pressured him to go out for the swim team

Recent Examples of pressure from the Web

A local tribal leader also pressured Tillerson to act at a celebration of the council on Wednesday.

— Scientific American, "Secretary of State Gives Nod to Climate Action at Arctic Meeting," 15 May 2017
The Eagles, meanwhile, had eight hits and pressured the Lions' defensive throughout.

— tim schwartz, Howard County Times, "Small ball helps Howard baseball edge Centennial, 4-2," 26 Apr. 2017
The suit was settled out of court in 2004 for an undisclosed sum, pressuring the company to divest Live Nation to avoid further federal scrutiny.

— dylan owens, The Know, "Who turned Denver’s live music scene into a national player? Nobody in Particular," 12 Mar. 2017
Mr. Fox was accused of advising Mr. Samson to pressure United into restoring the unprofitable flights by blocking a lease for a maintenance hangar that the airline was seeking to build.

— sam roberts, New York Times, "Jamie Fox, a Backstage Force in New Jersey State Politics, Dies at 62," 21 Feb. 2017
Evidence of state involvement in Mr. Kim’s death could pressure the United States to put the North back on its list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

— richard c. paddock and gerry mullany, New York Times, "Kim Jong-nam Investigators Seek to Question North Korean Embassy Officer," 21 Feb. 2017
The goal: Block President Donald Trump's agenda by pressuring members of Congress at home. •

— Tampa Bay Times, "The Daystarter: 'Stand your ground' case begins; Politifact dissects Scott attack; Hillsborough schools' budget struggles; 'Indivisible' takes root locally," 20 Feb. 2017
Mr. Gou added that Foxconn would also remain active in China, dispelling talk that Beijing was pressuring Foxconn about its investments.

— reuters, New York Times, "Foxconn Considering Building Plant in U.S.," 22 Jan. 2017
A rallying of public support for the accord by the church may be the best way of pressuring Kabila to organize elections and step down without bloodshed.

— karen attiah, Washington Post, "Can the Catholic Church save democracy in Congo?," 6 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of pressure

1938

PRESSURE Defined for English Language Learners

pressure

play

noun

Definition of pressure for English Language Learners

: the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else
: the action of pressing or pushing against something
: the weight of the air in the Earth's atmosphere

pressure

verb

Definition of pressure for English Language Learners

: to use pressure to force or try to force (someone) to do something

PRESSURE Defined for Kids

pressure

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noun pres·sure \ˈpre-shər\

Definition of pressure for Students

1 : the action of pushing steadily against
2 : a force or influence that cannot be avoided social pressure
3 : the force with which one body presses against another
4 : the need to get things done Mom works well under pressure.

Medical Dictionary

pressure

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noun pres·sure \ˈpresh-ər\

Medical Definition of pressure

1: the burden of mental or physical distress especially from grief, illness, or adversity
2: the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression
3a: the action of a force against some opposing force : a force in the nature of a thrust distributed over a surfaceb: the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by the area of the surface
4: electromotive force
5: atmospheric pressure
6: a touch sensation aroused by moderate compression of the skin