pressure

noun pres·sure \ ˈpre-shər \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of pressure

1 a : the burden of physical or mental distress

b : 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

4 a : the action of a force against an opposing force

b : the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by its area

c : 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

Warned by Obama days after his election that the threat posed by Pyongyang could define his presidency, Trump answered Kim’s threats with bellicose warnings of his own and rallied an international pressure campaign against North Korea.

— catherine lucey, Washington Post, "Trump’s high-risk doctrine? Swing for the bleacher seats," 12 May 2018
Louisiana is more likely to experience higher levels of ground level ozone formation in May through September, when high pressure systems stall over the area creating sunny days with little or no wind.

— sara sneath, NOLA.com, "New Orleans seeing an increase in air quality alerts: Here's why," 11 May 2018
They were supposed to be the ones who could keep their cool in pressure situations.

— sarah todd, Philly.com, "JJ Redick, Sixers' veteran shooters disappear when they're needed most," 11 May 2018
Warned by Obama days after his election that the threat posed by Pyongyang could define his presidency, Trump answered Kim's threats with bellicose warnings of his own and rallied an international pressure campaign against North Korea.

— CBS News, "In Korea crisis, as elsewhere, Trump's instinct is to go big," 11 May 2018
That contradicted Trump, who has said repeatedly that his pressure tactics brought North Korea to the negotiating table.

— matthew lee, Time, "3 Americans Detained in North Korea Are Now Flying Back to the U.S. With Mike Pompeo, Trump Says," 9 May 2018
Trump has said that his pressure tactics brought North Korea to the negotiating table.

— matthew lee, USA TODAY, "Pompeo in North Korea to discuss summit, release of Americans," 9 May 2018
Temperatures will plummet to below average with significantly more clouds and some rain in the forecast as a couple of low pressure systems move through the British Isles next week.

— brandon miller, CNN, "Royal wedding weather: an early look at the forecast," 9 May 2018
But the low-pressure system expected Friday took its time and showed up Saturday morning.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Weather update for Kentucky Derby," 5 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

pressure Synonyms

pressure

verb

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

Just a generation ago, Meghan’s future father-in-law, Prince Charles, was pressured to marry a virgin; two generations ago, Princess Margaret was forbidden from marrying Group Captain Peter Townsend because he had been previously married.

— refinery29.com, "The First American Celebrity To Marry Into Royalty Had A Shocking Life," 10 May 2018
BBC Chaplain Defeat House Speaker Paul Ryan pressured the House chaplain to resign, but now the chaplain has rescinded his resignation.

— adam lashinsky, Fortune, "Coal Cloud, VW Charge, Twitter Passwords: CEO Daily for May 4, 2018," 4 May 2018
Hedges will portray a minister’s son who is outed to his parents and then pressured into a gay conversion program, according to Hollywood Reporter.

— mary caldwell, ajc, "Now casting: Nicole Kidman film seeking men, older cars," 26 Apr. 2018
The union representing Southwest mechanics recently accused the company of pressuring maintenance workers to cut corners to keep planes flying.

— david koenig, chicagotribune.com, "Southwest Airlines has been faced with fines, union safety complaints," 24 Apr. 2018
In 2015, the company filed a complaint with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, a corporate regulator, accusing Alibaba of pressuring brands into doing exclusive Singles Day sales promotions — a charge Alibaba denied.

— erika kinetz, The Seattle Times, "At war with Alibaba: Top brands fight China e-commerce giant," 22 Apr. 2018
Activists have pressured companies including insurers Chubb and MetLife, car rental and consumer software companies to stop special discounts for members of the National Rifle Association, which has opposed many gun-control initiatives.

— joseph n. distefano, Philly.com, "Parkland shootings survivor David Hogg protests Vanguard, BlackRock gun investments," 18 Apr. 2018
The Agriculture Department is already pressuring states to impose work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the program formerly known as food stamps.

— angela helm, The Root, "President Signs Executive Order Mandating That Poor People Work or Lose ‘Welfare’," 11 Apr. 2018
After a first half that was an offensive showcase, Notre Dame did a better job of pressuring Ionescu and getting the ball out of her hands.

— tim booth, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Notre Dame returns to Final Four after beating Oregon 84-74," 26 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of pressure

1938

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pressure Synonyms

Synonyms

blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force, impel, impress, make, muscle, obligate, oblige, press, sandbag;

Near Antonyms

allow, let, permit;

argue, convince, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over);

blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, threaten;

drag;

badger, harass, hound;

Phrases

twist one's arm;

PRESSURE Defined for English Language Learners

pressure

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

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

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

3 a : the action of a force against some opposing force : a force in the nature of a thrust distributed over a surface

b : 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

Learn More about pressure

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pressure Spanish Central: Translation of pressure Nglish: Translation of pressure for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pressure for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pressure

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pressure

Definition of pressure

pressureless

Examples of pressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pressure from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pressure

pressure Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

pressure

Definition of pressure

Examples of pressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pressure from the Web

First Known Use of pressure

pressure Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

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PRESSURE Defined for English Language Learners

pressure

Definition of pressure for English Language Learners

pressure

Definition of pressure for English Language Learners

PRESSURE Defined for Kids

pressure

Definition of pressure for Students

Medical Dictionary

pressure

medical Definition of pressure

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