high-pressure
Americanadjective
-
having or involving a pressure above the normal.
high-pressure steam.
-
vigorous; persistent; aggressive.
high-pressure salesmanship.
verb (used with object)
adjective
-
having, using, involving, or designed to withstand a pressure above normal pressure
a high-pressure gas
a high-pressure cylinder
-
informal (of selling) persuasive in an aggressive and persistent manner
Etymology
Origin of high-pressure
First recorded in 1815–25
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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:
James' prediction: This is a high-pressure fixture for both teams but, being at home, United should edge it, and give their fans a bit of respite.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
For a squad that lost several senior voices in recent seasons, Rodri's experience in high-pressure moments has added a stability that had been missing.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
Its major components, including reactor vessel heads, steam generator parts and low-pressure and high-pressure turbines, were all recently updated as part of the 2030 extension, said Maureen Zawalick, chief risk officer at PG&E.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
All told, swapping out a normal ramp-up spring training period for high-pressure baseball kept him away from the Mariners for three weeks during the tournament.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
But there was an alternative to constructing some sort of high-pressure mechanism.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
As a result, LNG terminals have largely relied on the Haynesville Shale, a deep, high-pressured rock formation that spans East Texas and Louisiana, for their fuel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
It is part of what makes Ferrari special, and what makes it a more intense, high-pressured environment than any other team.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2025
Developers first drill a well and inject high-pressured water to crack up underground rock.
From Scientific American ● Feb. 14, 2023
Lavin added that Johnson brought an authentic lightheartedness to a high-pressured environment where winning was expected.
From New York Times ● Nov. 18, 2021
Oil is forced under pressure to all bearings by means of high-pressured duplex-geared pumps.
From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Victor Wilfred Pag?
It was a big victory for U.S. aircraft makers over the British, who have been high-pressuring Lufthansa to buy Comet III jets.
From Time Magazine Archive
He scorns the usual props: high-pressuring, dancing attendance on people, buttering his employers.
From Time Magazine Archive
With a flop, veterans like Maney don't try pleading or high-pressuring.
From Time Magazine Archive
This year, while William Reynolds' bay filly Mary Reynolds was winning several preliminary races on the Grand Circuit, a publicity agent was high-pressuring newspaper interest in trotting racing.
From Time Magazine Archive
When it makes with the feet, Beat the Band is enjoyable, but the general effect of the show is one of high-pressuring rather than high spirits.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
