First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pressure
noun pres·sure \ˈpre-shər\
: the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else
: the action of pressing or pushing against something
: the weight of the air in the Earth's atmosphere
Full Definition of PRESSURE
1
a : the burden of physical or mental distress b : the constraint of circumstance : the weight of social or economic imposition
2
: the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression
3
archaic : impression, stamp
4
a : the action of a force against an opposing force b : the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by its area c : electromotive force
5
: the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention : exigency <people who work well under pressure>
6
: the force of selection that results from one or more agents and tends to reduce a population of organisms <population pressure> <predation pressure>
7
: the pressure exerted in every direction by the weight of the atmosphere
8
: a sensation aroused by moderate compression of a body part or surface
— pres·sure·less adjective
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Origin of PRESSURE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pressura, from Latin, action of pressing, pressure, from pressus, past participle of premere
2pressure
verb
: to use pressure to force or try to force (someone) to do something
pres·suredpres·sur·ing \ˈpre-sh(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of PRESSURE
transitive verb
1
: to apply pressure to
2
3
: to cook in a pressure cooker
See pressure defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PRESSURE
1938
PRESSURELESS Defined for Kids
pressure
noun pres·sure \ˈpre-shər\
Definition of PRESSURE for Kids
1
: the action of pushing steadily against
2
: a force or influence that cannot be avoided <social pressure>
3
: the force with which one body presses against another
4
: the need to get things done <Mom works well under pressure.>
Medical Dictionary
pressure
noun pres·sure \ˈpresh-ər\
Medical Definition of PRESSURE
1
: the burden of mental or physical distress especially from grief, illness, or adversity
2
: the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression
3
a : the action of a force against some opposing force : a force in the nature of a thrust distributed over a surface b : the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by the area of the surface
6
: a touch sensation aroused by moderate compression of the skin
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