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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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical pressure definition - medical

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

v.

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


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pressure Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • exert: They are also less well placed to exert commercial pressure or to enter into disputes.

Adjective modifier

  • atmospheric: For example, atmospheric pressure is greater at sea-level than on a mountain top.

Modifies a noun

  • sore: Mr J's pressure sores were allowed to develop unchecked, resulting in great pain to him.

Noun used with modifier

  • blood: All people with high blood pressure need to quit smoking.
pressure usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

pressure quotes

   I mean grace under pressure.

-Hemingway, Ernest Millar

Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.

-Johnson, Michael

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

-Wriston,Walter Bigelow

pressure quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"pressure." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/pressure>

APA Style

pressure. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/pressure

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