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pressure Definition

pres·sure (pres̸h′ər)

noun

  1. a pressing or being pressed; compression; squeezing
  2. a condition of distress; oppression; affliction
  3. a sense impression caused by or as by compression of a part of the body
  4. a compelling influence; constraining force social pressure
  5. demands requiring immediate attention; urgency
    1. atmospheric pressure
    2. blood pressure
  7. Obsolete a mark made by pressing; impression
  8. 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

  1. ☆ to exert pressure, or compelling influence, on
  2. pressurize
pressure Synonyms

pressure

n.

  1. Physical pressure

    force, burden, mass, load, encumbrance, stress, thrust, tension, shear, squeeze*; see also strength 1, weight 1.

    Antonyms release*, relief*, deliverance. *

  2. 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.

pressure Synonyms

pressure

v.

press, compel, constrain; see urge 2, 3.

pressure Usage Examples

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

  • blood: All people with high blood pressure need to quit smoking.
  • peer: There is nothing like a bit of peer pressure!
  • tire: Full tire pressure under a new patch is a good way to make it peel off again.
pressure Quotes

Our current tendency to take our economic blood pressure every few minutes†obfuscates thought on many problems.

—Wriston,Walter Bigelow

   I mean grace under pressure.

—Hemingway, Ernest Millar

Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.

—Johnson, Michael