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

Kárpátia, who have been banned from performing in most of Hungary’s neighboring countries, have written songs addressing almost every pressure point of nationalist Hungarian nostalgia. — Jacob Mikanowski, Harper's magazine, "The Call of the Drums," 21 July 2019 For Washington, Hong Kong has emerged as the latest potential pressure point in the standoff with the world’s second-largest economy. — Time, "Hong Kong Is a Rebel Enclave in a Sea of Totalitarianism. Welcome to the New West Berlin," 28 June 2019 Starting at $1,299 (twin) to $2,199 (California King), its design features layers of New Zealand wool, organic cotton, and steel coils, all tufted together for an ergonomic sleep focused on relieving pressure points on the body. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "7 New Online Mattress Companies That Want To Sweeten Your Dreams," 15 Feb. 2019 Such challenges create another pressure point on Tehran alongside antigovernment protests focused on economic troubles renewed with the Trump administration’s withdrawal from a nuclear deal that gave Iran a reprieve from sanctions. — Isabel Coles And Ali Nabhan, WSJ, "Iranian Groups Press for Rights—and Tehran Hits Back," 1 Oct. 2018 The growing Russian competition is one more pressure point threatening American farming, which is facing the biggest wave of farm closures in the U.S. since the 1980s. — James Marson, WSJ, "Struggling U.S. Farmers Worry About a Resurgent Russia," 23 Sep. 2018 Some analysts worry the latter may prove to be a particularly big pressure point for small caps in the next couple of years. — Akane Otani, WSJ, "Small Caps Become Latest Winning Trade to Collapse," 15 Oct. 2018 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

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about pressure point

Dictionary Entries near pressure point

Statistics for pressure point

Last Updated

4 Aug 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for pressure point

The first known use of pressure point was in 1882

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

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, 28 Feb. 1996 — 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, 2 June 2011