atmospheric pressure
noun Meteorology.
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.
a value of standard or normal atmospheric pressure, equivalent to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 29.92 inches (760 mm) high, or 1013 millibars (101.3 kilopascals).
Words nearby atmospheric pressure
Compare sea-level pressure.
Origin of atmospheric pressure
First recorded in 1655–65
Also called barometric pressure.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for atmospheric pressure
atmospheric pressure
noun
the pressure exerted by the atmosphere at the earth's surface. It has an average value of 1 atmosphere
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for atmospheric pressure
atmospheric pressure
[ ăt′mə-sfîr′ĭk ]
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. Also called barometric pressure
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for atmospheric pressure
notes for atmospheric pressure
Normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is about fifteen pounds per square inch. (See barometer.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.