pressurize

verb

pres·​sur·​ize ˈpre-shə-ˌrīz 

pressurized; pressurizing

transitive verb

1

: to confine the contents of under a pressure greater than that of the outside atmosphere

especially : to maintain near-normal atmospheric pressure in during high-altitude or spaceflight (as by means of a supercharger)

2

: to apply pressure to

3

: to design to withstand pressure

pressurization

ˌpre-sh(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

pressurizer noun

Examples of pressurize in a Sentence

A pump is used to pressurize the fuel.

The system that pressurizes the airplane's cabin failed to operate correctly.

Don't let them pressurize you to do anything you don't want to do.

Recent Examples on the Web

The successful run follows cold testing completed earlier this spring, where crews pressurized the primary circuit to scrub pipes and test for micro-leaks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

Helium gas is commonly used to pressurize and purge rocket propellant systems, and liquid helium is often used to cool sensitive scientific instruments on spacecraft. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Smith explains that on these Airbus models (which have two engines), each unit pressurizes its own hydraulic system—when one motor isn’t running, that leaves the other system without a power source. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

This closing stretch is built almost entirely around a single dinner service, a smart structural shift that pressurizes what had previously become a diffuse story — and, on a practical level, helps the production navigate the schedules of one of television’s busier ensembles. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pressurize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

pressurize

verb

pres·​sur·​ize ˈpresh-ə-ˌrīz 

pressurized; pressurizing

1

: to maintain near-normal atmospheric pressure in

pressurize an airplane cabin

2

: to apply pressure to

pressurization

ˌpresh-(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən

noun