pressure point

noun

Definition 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 The challenges of providing breast milk to their babies may be yet another pressure point for women trying to regain their professional footing after being disproportionately pushed out of the workforce during the pandemic. — Charisse Jones, USA TODAY, "'It's still hard': Moms who breastfeed face challenges as offices reopen amid COVID," 9 Apr. 2021 As Scott continued to shout at the officers and resist the restraints, Merritt said he was told by the sheriff that one officer shoved his finger onto a pressure point beneath Scott’s jaw and pushed his head upward. — Brandi Addison, Dallas News, "Man died in Collin County jail after being restrained, pepper-sprayed, attorney Lee Merritt says," 18 Mar. 2021 People familiar with the effort said Mrs. Pelosi had encouraged donors to reach out to Mr. Newsom and his advisers as well, a particular pressure point as the Democratic governor prepares to battle a probable recall election later this year. — Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, "Adam Schiff Promoted by Powerful Allies for California Attorney General," 17 Mar. 2021 The idea is to apply quick, targeted amounts of pain—digging a thumb into a sensitive pressure point, twisting a wrist, stunning with a Taser—to force a person to follow orders. — al, "Police use pain to make people obey. But critics say dog bites go too far.," 14 Dec. 2020 The idea is to apply quick, targeted amounts of pain—digging a thumb into a sensitive pressure point, twisting a wrist, stunning with a Taser—to force a person to follow orders. — al, "Police use pain to make people obey. But critics say dog bites go too far.," 14 Dec. 2020 Layla’s dense memory foam layer provides welcome relief from pressure point pain by cradling your hips and shoulders. — Better Homes & Gardens, "10 Affordable Mattresses Backed by Thousands of Reviews," 22 Jan. 2021 The main pressure point for Cellnex is the foothold American Tower gains in Germany, the one big European market where the Spanish company is still absent. — Scott Moritz, Bloomberg.com, "American Tower Enters Europe in $9.4 Billion Telefonica Deal," 13 Jan. 2021 And so, that could be a pressure point for McConnell. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - December 27, 2020," 27 Dec. 2020

These 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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Last Updated

20 Apr 2021

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“Pressure point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressure%20point. Accessed 11 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for pressure point

pressure point

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pressure point

: a place on your body that can be pressed to stop tension or pain

: a place on your body where a blood vessel is near the bone and can be pressed to stop bleeding

: a place, area, or situation that is a source or possible source of problems : a point where pressure is applied or felt

See the full definition for pressure point in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pressure point

noun

Medical Definition of pressure point

1 : a region of the body in which the distribution of soft and skeletal parts is such that a static position (as of a part in a cast or of a bedridden person) tends to cause circulatory deficiency and necrosis due to local compression of blood vessels Saggy mattresses invite bedsores. One of the best preventive steps for a bedridden patient is use of the special eggcrate foam mattresses that distribute patient weight more evenly softening major pressure points.— Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News — compare bedsore

2 : a discrete point on the body to which pressure is applied (as in acupressure or reflexology) for therapeutic purposes

3 : a point on the body where a blood vessel (as the brachial or femoral artery) can be compressed against an underlying bone to slow blood flow and control bleeding Even before you leave the water, begin controlling bleeding by pressing on pressure points or by applying tourniquets.— Shakava Andres, The Florida Times-Union

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