pressure point

noun

1

a

: 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

That's a longstanding philosophy that dates to the construction of the Great Wall hundreds of years ago and continues today in the pressure points of Xinjiang and Tibet in its far west and Taiwan and Hong Kong off its east coast. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

That’s the kind of sensitive political pressure point that Trump may be desperate to avoid as crucial November midterm elections loom. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

The social side of the scorecard carries its own pressure points. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Soaring energy costs are creating a fresh pressure point for private credit borrowers already facing higher interest costs and a steep refinancing wall, private market specialists say. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pressure point

• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint

Kids Definition

pressure point

noun

: a point where a blood vessel runs near a bone and can be compressed (as to stop bleeding) by applying pressure against the bone

Medical Definition

pressure point

noun

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