Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense pressures, present participle pressuring, past tense, past participle pressured
1. uncountable noun
Pressure is force that you produce when you press hard on something.
She kicked at the door with her foot, and the pressure was enough to open it.
The pressure of his fingers had relaxed.
The best way to treat such bleeding is to apply firm pressure.
Synonyms: force, crushing, squeezing, compressing More Synonyms of pressure
2. uncountable noun
The pressure in a place or container is the force produced by the quantity of gas or liquid in that place or container.
The window in the cockpit had blown in and the pressure dropped dramatically.
Warm air is being drawn in from a high pressure area.
3. uncountable noun
If there is pressureon a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
He may have put pressure on her to agree. [+ on]
Its government is under pressure from the European Commission.
The political pressures to do something are pretty enormous.
Synonyms: power, influence, force, obligation More Synonyms of pressure
4. uncountable noun
If you are experiencing pressure, you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
Can you work under pressure?
Even if I had the talent to play tennis I couldn't stand the pressure.
The pressures of modern life are great. [+ of]
Synonyms: stress, demands, difficulty, strain More Synonyms of pressure
5. verb
If you pressure someone to do something, you try forcefully to persuade them to do it.
He will never pressure you to get married. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
The Government should not be pressured into making hasty decisions. [beVERB-ed + into]
Don't pressure me. [VERB noun]
His boss did not pressure him for results. [VERB noun + for]
Synonyms: force, influence, persuade, compel More Synonyms of pressure
pressuredadjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
You're likely to feel anxious and pressured.
6. See also blood pressure
pressure in British English
(ˈprɛʃə)
noun
1.
the state of pressing or being pressed
2.
the exertion of force by one body on the surface of another
3.
a moral force that compels
to bring pressure to bear
4.
an urgent claim or demand or series of urgent claims or demands
to work under pressure
5.
a burdensome condition that is hard to bear
the pressure of grief
6.
the normal force applied to a unit area of a surface, usually measured in pascals (newtons per square metre), millibars, torr, or atmospheres
Symbol: p, P
7. short for atmospheric pressure, blood pressure
verb
8. (transitive)
to constrain or compel, as by the application of moral force
9. another word for pressurize
Derived forms
pressureless (ˈpressureless)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin pressūra a pressing, from Latin premere to press
pressure in American English
(ˈprɛʃər)
noun
1.
a pressing or being pressed; compression; squeezing
2.
a condition of distress; oppression; affliction
3.
a sense impression caused by or as by compression of a part of the body
4.
a compelling influence; constraining force
social pressure
5.
demands requiring immediate attention; urgency
6.
a.
atmospheric pressure
b.
blood pressure
7. Obsolete
a mark made by pressing; impression
8. Physics
force per unit of area
abbrev. P
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈpressured or ˈpressuring
9. US
to exert pressure, or compelling influence, on
10.
pressurize
Word origin
OFr < L pressura, a pressing (LL(Ec), oppression, affliction) < pressus, pp. of premere, to press1
COBUILD Collocations
pressure
added pressure
competitive pressure
considerable pressure
external pressure
extra pressure
extreme pressure
huge pressure
immense pressure
intense pressure
more pressure
time pressure
tremendous pressure
undue pressure
Examples of 'pressure' in a sentence
pressure
Try not to feel under pressure or think you have failed.
The Sun (2017)
Our partner may be harassed and grumpy with work pressures or trying to make ends meet.
The Sun (2016)
They have put pressure on her to sign away visiting rights to her daughter.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Now apply pressure through your palms and slowly extend both your arms in front of you.
The Sun (2016)
But other players could come into the side, perform well and put pressure on his place.
The Sun (2016)
But not long after scrubbing up, the pressure gets too much for her and she passes out.
The Sun (2016)
An area of high pressure is blocking their direct route to the finish line so they are both having to plot a way north.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They are fantastic clubs with lots of money and terrific players but the demand and pressure when you come to this club is huge.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We recognise the pressure facing police forces but in this case, difficulties in one public service can have huge implications for another.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said that when it came to take-off, this allowed the skier to go forward with the air pressure forcing the skis up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In many ways playing only one format puts pressure on you.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Snow became a feature from midweek as an area of low pressure eased eastwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We know the peer pressures that force the individual to step back into the crowd.
Christianity Today (2000)
In these rare situations correction of the underlying fault may return the pressure to normal.
Petch, Dr Michael BMA Family Doctor Guide - Heart Disease (1989)
Do you feel the pressure of your age?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We should keep the pressure on and get as many goals as possible.
The Sun (2006)
Who knows what pressure that may bring on a hapless opponent?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That pressure is only likely to increase.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The pressure on places is going up.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But does the offer of a charitable donation put me under moral pressure to return the survey?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The pressure is just something that you have to deal with.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You cannot protect the environment unless you have that democratic space to pressure and demand.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The same pressure will apply to other foreign policy fields.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Your symptoms are more suggestive of an air pressure issue inside your middle ear cavity.
The Sun (2015)
There is pressure to agree fixed prices or discounts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Bank officials were not the only ones under pressure.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are all under subtle pressure to be forced to be green.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Cutting back helps keep cholesterol and blood pressure normal.
The Sun (2015)
Until now it had remained unused so that the hospital complex should get the pressure.
Len Deighton Bomber
It will remain overcast and perhaps wet at first as the remnants of our low pressure area eases away.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Perhaps they were feeling the pressure of being expected to do the business in the second innings of the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is undoubtedly pressure from Government to curb prices.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Bank of England bosses will snub pressure to raise them when they meet this week.
The Sun (2014)
Nine million don't take their hour off due to a heavy workload and pressure from the boss.
The Sun (2007)
The Mayor tried to step up the pressure on the Government yesterday.
The Sun (2011)
Quotations
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchenHarry S Truman
Word lists with
pressure
Weather phenomena
In other languages
pressure
British English: pressure /ˈprɛʃə/ NOUN
forcePressure is the force produced when you press hard on something.
Put pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding.
American English: pressure
Arabic: ضَغْط
Brazilian Portuguese: pressão
Chinese: 压力
Croatian: pritisak
Czech: tlak
Danish: tryk belastning
Dutch: druk
European Spanish: presión
Finnish: paine
French: pression
German: Druck
Greek: πίεση
Italian: pressione
Japanese: 圧力
Korean: 압력
Norwegian: trykk
Polish: ciśnienie
European Portuguese: pressão
Romanian: presiune
Russian: давление
Latin American Spanish: presión
Swedish: tryck
Thai: ความกดดัน
Turkish: basınç
Ukrainian: тиск
Vietnamese: áp suất
British English: pressure /ˈprɛʃə/ VERB
If you pressure someone to do something, you try forcefully to persuade them to do it.
He is pressuring her to get married.
American English: pressure
Arabic: يَضْغَط
Brazilian Portuguese: pressionar
Chinese: 施加压力
Croatian: vršiti pritisak
Czech: činit nátlak
Danish: trykke belaste
Dutch: onder druk zetten
European Spanish: presionar
Finnish: painostaa
French: faire pression
German: unter Druck setzen
Greek: ασκώ πίεση
Italian: esercitare pressione
Japanese: 圧力を加える
Korean: 압력을 가하다
Norwegian: legge press på
Polish: nakłonić
European Portuguese: pressionar
Romanian: a forța
Russian: оказывать давление
Latin American Spanish: presionar
Swedish: utöva påtryckning
Thai: กดดันให้ทำ แรงกดดัน
Turkish: baskı yapmak
Ukrainian: тиснути
Vietnamese: gây áp lực
British English: pressure NOUN
on person If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
He may have put pressure on her to agree.
American English: pressure
Brazilian Portuguese: pressão
Chinese: 压力因极力劝说或强迫某人做某事而造成的
European Spanish: presión
French: pression
German: Druck
Italian: pressione
Japanese: プレッシャー
Korean: 압력
European Portuguese: pressão
Latin American Spanish: presión
All related terms of 'pressure'
air pressure
the force of air pressing down on an area
back pressure
the pressure that opposes the motion of a piston on its exhaust stroke in an internal-combustion engine
high pressure
atmospheric pressure that is higher than normal
huge pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
low-pressure
having, using, or involving a pressure below normal
more pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
oil pressure
the pressure of oil in an internal-combustion engine
peer pressure
If someone does something because of peer pressure , they do it because other people in their social group do it.
pressure-cook
to cook ( food ) in a pressure cooker
pressure drag
the part of the total drag of a body moving through a gas or liquid caused by the components of the pressures at right angles to the surface of the body
pressure-feed
a system in which the supply of material is maintained by applied pressure
pressure head
the upper or front part of the body in vertebrates , including humans, that contains and protects the brain , eyes , mouth , and nose and ears when present
pressure hull
the inner , pressure-resistant hull of a submarine
pressure suit
an inflatable suit worn by a person flying at high altitudes or in space , to provide protection from low pressure
time pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
tyre pressure
the pressure of the air in a vehicle tyre
added pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
blood pressure
Your blood pressure is the amount of force with which your blood flows around your body.
extra pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
fluid pressure
the pressure exerted by a fluid at any point inside it. The difference of pressure between two levels is determined by the product of the difference of height , the density , and the acceleration of free fall
pressure cabin
the pressurized cabin of an aircraft or spacecraft
pressure cooker
A pressure cooker is a large metal container with a lid that fits tightly, in which you can cook food quickly using steam at high pressure.
pressure gauge
any instrument for measuring fluid pressure
pressure group
A pressure group is an organized group of people who are trying to persuade a government or other authority to do something, for example to change a law .
pressure-piping
Pressure-piping is a set of pipes which are used to contain fluid at high pressure .
pressure point
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
pressure ridge
a ridge produced on floating ice by buckling or crushing under lateral pressure of wind or ice
pressure ulcer
→ another term for bedsore
pressure vessel
a vessel designed for containing substances , reactions , etc, at pressures above atmospheric pressure
total pressure
Total pressure is the total of static pressure p , dynamic pressure q , and gravitational head.
turgor pressure
the pressure exerted on a plant cell wall by water passing into the cell by osmosis
undue pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
vapor pressure
the pressure of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form
vapour pressure
the pressure exerted by a vapour . The saturated vapour pressure is that exerted by a vapour in equilibrium with its solid or liquid phase at a particular temperature
critical pressure
the pressure of a gas or the saturated vapour pressure of a substance in its critical state
external pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
extreme pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
immense pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
intense pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
osmotic pressure
the pressure necessary to prevent osmosis into a given solution when the solution is separated from the pure solvent by a semipermeable membrane
partial pressure
the pressure that a gas , in a mixture of gases, would exert if it alone occupied the whole volume occupied by the mixture
pressure drawdown
Pressure drawdown is the difference between the reservoir pressure and the flowing wellbore pressure, which drives fluids from the reservoir into the wellbore.
pressure gradient
the change of pressure per unit distance
pressure situation
You use situation to refer generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time, or to refer to what is happening to you.
atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface.
barometric pressure
atmospheric pressure as indicated by a barometer
centre of pressure
the point in a body at which the resultant pressure acts when the body is immersed in a fluid
competitive pressure
If there is pressure on a person, someone is trying to persuade or force them to do something.
considerable pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
hydrostatic pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a liquid that depends on how deep it is.
Chinese translation of 'pressure'
pressure
(ˈprɛʃəʳ)
n
(u) (= physical force) 压(壓)力 (yālì)
(u)[of air, gas, water]压(壓)强(強) (yāqiáng)
(u) (fig, = coercion)
pressure (to do sth)(做某事的)压(壓)力 ((zuò mǒushì de) yālì)
(c/u) (= stress) 压(壓)力 (yālì) (种(種), zhǒng)
vt
to pressure sb (to do sth)强(強)使某人(做某事) (qiǎngshǐ mǒurén (zuò mǒushì))
high/low pressure高/低压(壓) (gāo/dīyā)
to put pressure on sb (to do sth)对(對)某人施加压(壓)力(去做某事) (duì mǒurén shījiā yālì (qù zuò mǒushì))
under pressure (with stress) 在压(壓)力下 (zài yālì xià)
to be under pressure to do sth被迫做某事 (bèipò zuò mǒushì)
to pressure sb into doing sth迫使某人做某事 (pòshǐ mǒurén zuò mǒushì)