pressurize

especially British, pres·sur·ise

[presh-uh-rahyz]

verb (used with object)

pressurized, pressurizing 

1. to raise the internal atmospheric pressure of to the required or desired level.

   to pressurize an astronaut's spacesuit before a walk in space.

2. to maintain normal air pressure in (the cockpit or cabin of an airplane) at high altitudes.

3. to apply pressure to (a gas or liquid); supercharge.

4. to pressure-cook.

pressurize

/ ˈprɛʃəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to increase the pressure in (an enclosure, such as an aircraft cabin) in order to maintain approximately atmospheric pressure when the external pressure is low

2. to increase pressure on (a fluid)

3. to make insistent demands of (someone); coerce

Other Word Forms

• pressurizer noun
• repressurize verb
• pressurization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pressurize¹

First recorded in 1940–45; pressure + -ize

Example Sentences

Marshals Service to take her hand-held pressurized piercing instrument into the courtroom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Headwinds from newly imposed tariffs have pressurized global supply chains and layered additional complications” on First Brands’ operations, its bankruptcy filing states.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Oklo’s liquid sodium-cooled fast reactors use sodium as a heat transfer liquid and coolant, which allows them to operate at high temperatures without being pressurized, unlike conventional reactors.

Read more on Barron's

According to a court filing from the company’s chief restructuring officer, recent “geopolitical uncertainty and headwinds from newly imposed tariffs have pressurized global supply chains and layered additional complications on the company’s operations.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Fortunately, the team is trained in specialized search and rescue methods, and was able to use pressurized air bags to create more space between the rocks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cause 
• charge 
• compel 
• demand 
• drag 
• drive 
• impose 
• inflict 
• limit 
• make 
• move 
• oblige 
• order 
• press 
• pressure 
• require 
• restrict 
• urge