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
- atmospheric pressure
- blood pressure
- Obsolete a mark made by pressing; impression
- Physics force per unit of area: abbrev. P
Origin:
OFr < L pressura, a pressing (LL(Ec), oppression, affliction) < pressus, pp. of premere, to press
transitive verb pressured, pressuring
- ☆ to exert pressure, or compelling influence, on
- pressurize