atmospheric pressure

[ at-muhs-fer-ik presh-er, -feer- ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. the pressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere at any given point, being the product of the mass of the atmospheric column of the unit area above the given point and of the gravitational acceleration at the given point.
2. a value of standard or normal atmospheric pressure, equivalent to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 29.92 inches (760 millimeters) high, or 1013 millibars (101.3 kilopascals).

atmospheric pressure

noun

1. the pressure exerted by the atmosphere at the earth's surface. It has an average value of 1 atmosphere

atmospheric pressure

/ ăt′mə-sfîr′ĭk /

1. The pressure at any location on the Earth, caused by the weight of the column of air above it. At sea level, atmospheric pressure has an average value of one atmosphere and gradually decreases as altitude increases.
2. Also called barometric pressure

atmospheric pressure

1. The pressure caused by the weight of the air above a given point.

Notes

Normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is about fifteen pounds per square inch. ( See barometer .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of atmospheric pressure¹

First recorded in 1655–65

A Closer Look

The weight of the air mass, or atmosphere, that envelopes Earth exerts pressure on all points of the planet's surface. Meteorologists use barometers to measure this atmospheric pressure (also called barometric pressure ). At sea level the atmospheric pressure is approximately 1 kilogram per square centimeter (14.7 pounds per square inch), which will cause a column of mercury in a mercury barometer to rise 760 millimeters (30.4 inches). The pressure is frequently expressed in pascals, after the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal, who studied the transmission of pressure in confined fluids. Subtle variations in atmospheric pressure greatly affect the weather. Low pressure generally brings rain. In areas of low air pressure, the air is less dense and relatively warm, which causes it to rise. The expanding and rising air naturally cools, and the water vapor in the air condenses, forming clouds and the drops that fall as rain. In high pressure areas, conversely, the air is dense and relatively cool, which causes it to sink. The water vapor in the sinking air does not condense, leaving the skies sunny and clear.

Example Sentences

It also calculates atmospheric pressure, but I haven’t flown since pre-pandemic times, so I can’t say how much of a difference that makes.

From Popular-Science

Our solar system’s most inhospitable planet couldn’t be more different from our own, with crushing atmospheric pressure and lead-melting surface temperatures.

From Ozy

It must have a suitable temperature, atmospheric pressure similar to Earth’s, and available water.

From Singularity Hub 

The location and design would also give residents indirect access to sunlight, protect them from meteorites if one were to strike nearby, and help minimize the difference in atmospheric pressure between the inside and outside of the buildings.

From Singularity Hub 

Since this internal water pressure is higher than the atmospheric pressure, any hole in the tree bark will allow sap to flow out of the tree rather than continuing to flow through the tree.

From Popular-Science

But hour after hour of breathy and uninterrupted coverage inevitably creates, shall we say, its own kind of atmospheric pressure.

From The Daily Beast

In these whirlings great differences in atmospheric pressure are brought about in contiguous areas of sea.

From Project Gutenberg

When, with returning fair weather, the atmospheric pressure increases, the water can no longer bulge or drop out of the bulb.

From Project Gutenberg

The constants for gaseous elements represent the constants of the gases under atmospheric pressure.

From Project Gutenberg

KIon refers to the concentration of HO, with which oxygen under atmospheric pressure would be directly in equilibrium, at 18.

From Project Gutenberg

His flask is an apparatus contrived to illustrate atmospheric pressure and ensure a constant flow of liquid.

From Project Gutenberg