pressure

1 of 2

noun

pres·​sure ˈpre-shər How to pronounce pressure (audio)
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
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 How to pronounce pressure (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to apply pressure to
2
3
: to cook in a pressure cooker

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
Floros explains that the nursery was very successful, but there was also a need to reduce human pressure on this reef, and through extensive engagement with Tanzania's Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, a special zone was created to protect the Mnemba House Reef. Andrew Wight, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Justice Department The Justice Department’s prosecutors have long prized a high degree of independence from political pressures. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
In 2023, China stepped up its diplomatic campaign and pressured Brazil and India to support expansion, mostly by casting their resistance as tantamount to preventing the rise of other developing countries. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024 In a statement, the guild said employees at the Redlands pharmacy, who often handle medications with strict temperature controls and short shelf lives, are being pressured to cut corners in ways that compromise patient care. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pressure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pressure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressure was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pressure

Cite this Entry

“Pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressure. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pressure

1 of 2 noun
pres·​sure ˈpresh-ər How to pronounce pressure (audio)
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 How to pronounce pressure (audio)
1
: to apply pressure to
2

Medical Definition

pressure

noun
pres·​sure ˈpresh-ər How to pronounce pressure (audio)
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
5
6
: a touch sensation aroused by moderate compression of the skin

More from Merriam-Webster on pressure

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