pressure
Americannoun
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pressures
plural
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the exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, etc., in contact with it.
the pressure of earth against a wall.
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Physics. force per unit area. P
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Meteorology. atmospheric pressure.
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Electricity. electromotive force.
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the state of being pressed or compressed.
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harassment; oppression.
the pressures of daily life.
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a constraining or compelling force or influence.
the social pressures of city life;
financial pressure.
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urgency, as of affairs or business.
He works well under pressure.
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Obsolete. that which is impressed.
verb (used with object)
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pressures,
present (3rd person singular)
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pressured,
past participle, past
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pressuring
present participle
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to force (someone) toward a particular end; influence.
They pressured him into accepting the contract.
noun
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the state of pressing or being pressed
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the exertion of force by one body on the surface of another
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a moral force that compels
to bring pressure to bear
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an urgent claim or demand or series of urgent claims or demands
to work under pressure
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a burdensome condition that is hard to bear
the pressure of grief
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p, P. the normal force applied to a unit area of a surface, usually measured in pascals (newtons per square metre), millibars, torr, or atmospheres
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short for atmospheric pressure blood pressure
verb
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(tr) to constrain or compel, as by the application of moral force
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another word for pressurize
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The force per unit area that one region of a gas, liquid, or solid exerts on another. Pressure is usually measured in Pascal units, atmospheres, or pounds per square inch.
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◆ A substance is said to have negative pressure if some other substance exerts more force per unit area on it than vice versa. Its value is simply the negative of the pressure exerted by the other substance.
Discover More
The most familiar measure of pressure is psi (pounds per square inch), used to rate pressure in automobile and bicycle tires.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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nonpressurenoun
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superpressurenoun
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underpressurenoun
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interpressureadjective
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pressurelessadjective
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unpressuredadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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pressuresimple
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pressuressimple
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have pressuredperfect
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has pressuredperfect
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am pressuringprogressive
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are pressuringprogressive
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is pressuringprogressive
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have been pressuringperfect progressive
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has been pressuringperfect progressive
Past
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pressuredsimple
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had pressuredperfect
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was pressuringprogressive
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were pressuringprogressive
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had been pressuringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of pressure
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun), from Latin pressūra; see press 1, -ure
Explanation
You feel pressure when something presses on you –- whether a physical force or a stressful situation. If you don't crack under the pressure of witnessing the accident, you will calmly apply pressure on the driver's wound until help arrives. The pressure of a looming deadline might cause you to finally get to work on an assignment. Pressure can also be a verb, like when your friend pressures you to go rock climbing despite your fear of heights. The rocks you would rather not climb were formed long ago by extreme heat and pressure. While climbing, your friend's blood pressure may rise right along with yours when she sees how clumsy you are.
Vocabulary lists containing pressure
Weather and Climate - Introductory
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Plate Tectonics - Middle School
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Earth Science: Weather and Climate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“The defensive line did a great job putting pressure on him,” Wilson-Turner added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
The jet stream is largely responsible for developing and delivering our stormier pressure systems.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
U.S. stocks fell, led by the Nasdaq composite, as chip and AI-related shares came under new pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Small companies would face less pressure from financing costs.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
With all of them in one place, I start to feel it—a warm pressure, rolling over me like heat— the sunsum of Asase’s Shards.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
It added the nature of their work reflected the "changing pressures" faced by local families.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
A charity that raises funds to provide children with "essential items" has said families are facing "changing pressures" as celebrates its 25th anniversary.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The bank expects price pressures to reflect higher global energy costs feeding through to services sensitive to fuel prices, as well as firmer food inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
International students have also faced pressures, as the government restricts visa programs and increases costs significantly for others.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
It must be most trying under the present pressures.'
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Permits for nonresidential buildings fell 0.6% to C$5.1 billion, pressured lower by plans for commercial construction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The Greek government said it had "never" been threatened or pressured, and the foreign ministry said it was "unnecessary" to summon Guilfoyle on the issue.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
She said she felt pressured into agreeing to having her roof re-done and paid a total of £5,500, only for the original contractor to send his son instead, who left work in the eaves incomplete.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Despite being pressured nearly 70 times in four games, the seventh-year signal-caller remains supportive of his offensive line, especially the younger players.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
We had evidence from a fourth doctor to whom Myers confided that he was being pressured to give false testimony against Walter McMillian.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
The growing public frustration in Malaysia but also neighbouring Singapore, which has topped global major city pollution rankings in recent days, is pressuring governments, said Chin.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Ziaire Williams set the tone of the Lakers’ new defensive style, pressuring the ball the full length of the court and injecting energy into his teammates.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Norris had been pressuring Piastri for some laps before the Australian also began to close in on Leclerc, and Antonelli, struggling with oversteer in the early laps, picked up the pace.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Higher diesel prices were already pressuring prices for groceries — especially perishables that are trucked to stores, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
Soon everyone at the table was pressuring Claire to eat something.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
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