Pressure

Pronunciation

• enPR: prÄ•shʹ-É™(r), IPA: /ˈprɛʃə(ɹ)/
• UK IPA: ˈpɹɛʃ.É™(ɹ)
• US IPA: ˈpɹɛʃ.Éš
• Rhymes: -ɛʃə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: pres + sure

Origin

From Old French, from Latin pressūra.

Full definition of pressure

Noun

1. A pressing; a force applied to a surface.Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind''the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.
• unknown date MacaulayWhere the pressure of danger was not felt.
3. Distress.She has felt pressure lately because her boss expects her to get the job done by the first.
• 1649, Eikon BasilikeMy people's pressures are grievous.
• unknown date AtterburyIn the midst of his great troubles and pressures.
4. Urgencythe pressure of business
5. (obsolete) Impression; stamp; character impressed.
• unknown date ShakespeareAll saws of books, all forms, all pressures past.
6. (physics) The amount of force that is applied over a given area divided by the size of this area.

Synonyms

• (distress) affliction, grievance
• (urgency) press

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To encourage or heavily exert force or influence.Do not let anyone pressure you into buying something you do not want.

Anagrams

• perusers