pressure

1 of 2

noun

pres·​sure ˈpre-shər 

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

pressure

2 of 2

verb

pressured; pressuring ˈpre-sh(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to apply pressure to

2

: pressurize

3

: to cook in a pressure cooker

Synonyms of pressure

Noun

• stress
• strain
• tension

Verb

• force
• coerce
• compel
• obligate

Examples of pressure in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

his father pressured him to go out for the swim team

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Though Kazakhs speaking out against China’s policies in Xinjiang have long faced pressure, advocacy groups say this is the first time such a large group of Xinjiang activists has been imprisoned in the country. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

The university researchers say the sensors detect how much pressure is coming in contact with the fabric, for how long, and if there is moisture. —Monique John, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

As public officials pressured organizers over the years to clean up their act, SantaCon emphasized its charitable work, advertising that money raised from ticket sales would go to antipoverty groups, food banks, city parks and arts foundations. —Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026

Musk pressures chipmakers to speed up $25B factory Elon Musk is pressuring suppliers to speed up his plans for a $25 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant in Texas. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pressura, from Latin, action of pressing, pressure, from pressus, past participle of premere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressure

• barometric pressure
• bilevel positive airway pressure
• blood pressure
• continuous positive airway pressure
• counter-pressure
• high blood pressure
• high-pressure
• low blood pressure
• low-pressure
• osmotic pressure
• partial pressure
• peer pressure
• predation pressure
• pressure cabin
• pressure cooker
• pressure gauge
• pressure group
• pressure point
• pressure suit
• pressure wave
• root pressure
• sound pressure
• take the pressure off
• tire pressure
• under pressure
• vapor pressure
• water pressure

Rhymes for pressure

• flesher
• fresher
• thresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• refresher

Kids Definition

pressure

1 of 2 noun

pres·​sure ˈpresh-ər 

1

: a force or influence that cannot be avoided

social pressure

2

: the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it

keep steady pressure on the gas pedal

3

a

: the action of a force against an opposing force

b

: the force applied over a surface divided by its area

c

: the force exerted as a result of the weight of the atmosphere

4

: the stress or burden of matters demanding attention

works well under pressure

pressure

2 of 2 verb

pressured; pressuring ˈpresh-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to apply pressure to

2

: pressurize

Medical Definition

pressure

noun

pres·​sure ˈpresh-ər 

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