pressure point

noun

a point on the skin that is extremely sensitive to pressure because of the presence of pressure-sensing organs.
a point on the body where relatively slight pressure serves to press an artery lying close to the surface against underlying bony tissue, so as to arrest the flow of blood into a part.
a sensitive, crucial area or issue against which concerted persuasion or pressure tactics can be wielded to produce a desired result: Lobbyists attempt to find the pressure points of government.

Origin of pressure point

First recorded in 1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pressure point

Contemporary Examples of pressure point

Stockman, who gets airsick when buffeted by the winds, has pressure-point wristbands and a patch on her neck to combat the nausea.
Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco Chronicle Mining Catastrophes in West Virginia
Chris Hedges, Joe Sacco
June 14, 2012

British Dictionary definitions for pressure point

pressure point

noun

any of several points on the body above an artery that, when firmly pressed, will control bleeding from the artery at a point farther away from the heart

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pressure point in Medicine

pressure point

Any of the various locations on the body where pressure may be applied to control bleeding.
A point that is extremely sensitive to the application of pressure.