pressure
pres·sure (pres̸h′ər)
noun
- a pressing or being pressed; compression; squeezing
- a condition of distress; oppression; affliction
- a sense impression caused by or as by compression of a part of the body
- a compelling influence; constraining force social pressure
- demands requiring immediate attention; urgency
- Obsolete a mark made by pressing; impression
- Physics force per unit of area: abbrev. P
Etymology: OFr < L pressura, a pressing (LL(Ec), oppression, affliction) < pressus, pp. of premere, to press
transitive verb pressured -·sured, pressuring -·sur·ing
- ☆ to exert pressure, or compelling influence, on
- pressurize
pressure
n.
Physical pressure
force, burden, mass, load, encumbrance, stress, thrust, tension, shear, squeeze*; see also strength 1, weight 1.Antonyms
release*, relief*, deliverance. * Social pressure
compulsion, constraint, urgency, demand, persuasion, stress, affliction, coercion, trouble, hardship, humiliation, misfortune, necessity, requirement, repression, confinement, unnaturalness, obligation, discipline; see also influence 2, oppression 1, restraint 2, urging.Antonyms
aid*, assistance*, encouragement.
Converse of object
- exert: They are also less well placed to exert commercial pressure or to enter into disputes.
- put: By having core modules students start to put pressure on staff to give them the opportunity to practice skills.
- relieve: Cutting back on the number of tests taken by young people will help relieve pressure on young people at a time of enormous transition.
- resist: Understanding the dynamics of Iran's relations with its neighbors helps explain why Iran feels able to resist Western pressure.
- apply: A sweet attacking move from the restart saw South apply some early pressure by winning their first short corner of the match.
- ease: Helping students to prepare for examinations or assignments is likely to ease the pressure considerably.
Adjective modifier
- atmospheric: For example, atmospheric pressure is greater at sea-level than on a mountain top.
- inflationary: The markets have been aware of inflationary pressures for some time.
- systolic: During the procedure his systolic blood pressure remained below 90 mmHg.
- intense: The intense pressure saw Musson cross for Gibson to score with a technically superb volley from 20 yards.
- downward: As downward yield pressure ends rental growth will be paramount.
- high: All people with high blood pressure need to quit smoking.
Modifies a noun
- sore: Mr J's pressure sores were allowed to develop unchecked, resulting in great pain to him.
- washer: Student drive around in pickup trucks with pressure washers, hotel staff squirt guests with water pistols.
- gage: Pencil type pressure gage ( high ), for normal type tire pressures.
- gradient: In theory yes - as the biggest pressure gradient occurs in the shallowest few meters.
- cooker: The Russell Hobbs pressure cookers are Russell Hobbs Pressure Cooker Models.
Noun used with modifier
Our current tendency to take our economic blood pressure every few minutesobfuscates thought on many problems.
I mean grace under pressure.
Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.
Browse dictionary entries near pressure
- pressroom
- pressor
- pressmen
- pressmark
- pressman
- pressingly
- pressing
- pressgang
- presser
- pressed duck
