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acupressure

American  
[ak-yoo-presh-er] / ˈæk jʊˌprɛʃ ər /

noun

  1. a type of massage in which finger pressure on the specific bodily sites described in acupuncture therapy is used to promote healing, alleviate fatigue, etc.

  2. Medicine/Medical. a procedure for stopping blood flow from an injured blood vessel.


acupressure British  
/ ˈækjʊˌprɛʃə /

noun

  1. another name for shiatsu

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of acupressure

First recorded in 1855–60; acu(puncture) + pressure


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:

An acupressure wedge claims to help ease her sore neck and shoulders from hours of scrolling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

The guidelines do not recommend offering women aromatherapy, yoga or acupressure for pain relief but say that if a woman wants to use any of these techniques her choice should be supported.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2023

A: The acupressure point used for sleep is called the Inner Gate.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 1, 2023

This seems right to Cathy Miller, Little Bit’s human companion and an acupressure practitioner living in Boulder, Colo. Miller had to warn guests “to zip their luggage at night,” she says.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 30, 2022

The recognition of this antiseptic principle effected a much needed revolution in surgery, and in this revolution acupressure was practically annihilated.

From Sir James Young Simpson and Chloroform (1811-1870) Masters of Medicine by Henry Laing Gordon

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