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air pressure

American

[air presh-er] / ˈɛər ˌprɛʃ ər /

noun

the force exerted by air, whether compressed or unconfined, on any surface in contact with it.

Etymology

Origin of air pressure

First recorded in 1870–75

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.

To achieve lift, the air pressure under a plane's wing has to be higher than above it, which depends on the angle of the wings, the air density and the aircraft's thrust or speed.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The second championed three sessions of a buzzy noninvasive treatment that uses a handheld device to send ultrasound waves and air pressure to stimulate dormant follicles.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

These temperature differences shift air pressure patterns, creating changes in wind strength and direction that move surface waters aside and allow the deeper phosphorus-rich water to rise.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2025

How nearly every time we see each other, he reminds me to check the oil and the air pressure in my tires.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

Possibly there were slight differences in the air pressure.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023