pressing
Americanadjective
noun
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any phonograph record produced in a record-molding press from a master or a stamper.
-
a number of such records produced at one time.
The fifth pressing of his hit song has sold out.
adjective
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demanding immediate attention
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persistent or importunate
noun
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a large specified number of gramophone records produced at one time from a master record
-
a component formed in a press
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football the tactic of trying to stay very close to the opposition when they are in possession of the ball
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pressing
1300–50; Middle English presing (gerund); see press 1, -ing 2, -ing 1
Explanation
If something's pressing, it's very important and should be taken care of right away. Your French club's most pressing issue might be raising money for the big trip to Montreal. Pressing business needs urgent attention, and pressing problems will turn into disasters if you don't figure out a quick way to solve them. Another meaning of pressing is "the act of exerting a strong pressure," like the pressing of apples into delicious cider. Pressing comes from the verb press, "to push against" or "to squeeze out," and later also "to urge or argue for."
Vocabulary lists containing pressing
Trash
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Lesson 11
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Important
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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.
It’s one of the most pressing questions facing the U.S. economy today.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
The BBC understands that behind the scenes John Healey had been pressing the prime minister for a larger increase in defence spending than he was offered.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
“You have some tough decision s to make,” Epstein messaged her in November when she didn’t get a reply from Gates on her proposal, pressing her to use a stronger approach.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
“What is already clear, is that this election has been shaped by the pressing and undeniable concerns of the people of Los Angeles.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
Mrs. Kuen paused, but it seemed to me that she was pressing me, waiting for me to say something.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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.
