SINCE 1828
pressure point
nounDefinition of pressure point
1a
: an area on the body sensitive to pressure: such as
(1)
: a discrete point on the body that when pressed causes pain
The technique involves using pressure points along the jaw to cause pain and induce temporary paralysis of the jaw.— Margaret Harding
(2)
: a point on the body to which pressure is applied (as in acupressure or reflexology) for therapeutic purposes
… an ancient Chinese art and science that uses pressure points in the feet and hands to relax and revitalize the entire body. — Vogue
b
: a point on the body where a blood vessel (such as the femoral artery) can be compressed against an underlying bone to slow blood flow and control bleeding
… begin controlling bleeding by pressing on pressure points or by applying tourniquets.— Shakava Andres
c
: a region of the body where a static position tends to cause circulatory deficiency and the development of bedsores
Pressure points of the human body when lying down in bed receive poor blood circulation, which causes the sore.— Mike Cote
2
: a sensitive critical issue or matter that can be exploited for one's advantage
political pressure points
Examples of pressure point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According the acupuncturists, one of the useful pressure points on your body can be found on your hand, located on the webbed area between your thumb and forefinger. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Why Do Couples Hold Hands?," 4 Jan. 2019 Just as some clothing manufacturers fit certain body types better, some companies' helmet shapes will feel custom-molded while others can create pressure points around your head—irritating for a commute, and intolerable on a road trip. — Alexander George, Popular Mechanics, "How I Found My Favorite Motorcycle Helmet," 9 Nov. 2018 Massage the pressure points on your face and neck to stimulate circulation and reduce puffiness while also lifting, toning, and sculpting your face. — Rachel Marlowe, Vogue, "How to Give the Gift of Wellness, According to Miranda Kerr," 17 Dec. 2018 In a separate pressure point, the SEC is investigating how the OCC handled a bout of market volatility this year, raising questionsabout an entity essential to the market’s financial plumbing. — Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, "A Messy Battle Brews in the Options Market," 22 Aug. 2018 But Pelosi knows the pressure points in her caucus — and how to count votes. — Ella Nilsen, Vox, "It’s official: Democrats will control the House," 7 Nov. 2018 Acupressure mats are flat, cushioned rectangles with tiny spikes all over them, which are designed to stimulate pressure points in the neck and back as well as promote a healthy release of endorphins in the brain. — Maria Cassano, Allure, "The 7 Top-Reviewed Acupressure Mats You Can Buy on Amazon," 27 Aug. 2018 According to Krebs, holding the two pressure points at the same time resets the internal body clock, easing the effects of jet lag. — Nicole Defeudis, BostonGlobe.com, "Uplift app says it can deliver a natural remedy to jet lag," 11 Apr. 2018 The sand-color twinset also has built-in pressure points, bringing yogis one step closer to rest and relaxation. — Katie Devlin, Vogue, "The Best Clothes to Work Out (and Sweat) in All Summer," 5 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pressure point.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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