high-pressure
Americanadjective
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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:
The heat wave is being caused by a high-pressure system over the region, said Spencer Fielding, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
A high-pressure, high-humidity, high-heat weather system—a heat dome—is hovering over most of the middle and eastern U.S. and Canada this week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The listing agent notes that the property is particularly well-suited to those who work in high-pressure environments—and seek a sanctuary to return to at the end of the day.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
Across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and southern England, temperatures are reaching 5–12°C above seasonal averages, driven by a persistent high-pressure system, scientists at World Weather Attribution said on Friday, external.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
At last a high-pressure bubble brought sunshine to the icy Catskills.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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 Pag?, Victor Wilfred
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
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
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
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.
