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:
Persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over the region, she said, while dry soils reduced the ability to provide natural cooling.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 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
The high temperatures are the result of a high-pressure system lingering over the area.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026
Trying to solve Belgium was more difficult than solving Paraguay and the high-pressure, must-win situation of an elimination game against the No. 8 team in the world — and it clearly unsettled the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
Step one of that is to collect C02 and store it in a high-pressure vessel.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
And that’s a very hard thing to do in those high-pressured situations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
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
"We remain seriously concerned about Tasers' use in situations where there may be more effective and safer ways to deescalate high-pressured situations."
From BBC ● May 15, 2023
Developers first drill a well and inject high-pressured water to crack up underground rock.
From Scientific American ● Feb. 14, 2023
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
With a flop, veterans like Maney don't try pleading or high-pressuring.
From Time Magazine Archive
He scorns the usual props: high-pressuring, dancing attendance on people, buttering his employers.
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.
