pressure

noun

1. 1

   A pressing; a force applied to a surface.

   Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

2. 2

   The amount of force that is applied over a given area divided by the size of this area; force per unit area.

3. 3

   An amount of pressure.

   the throttle valve should be partially closed which will allow a pressure of steam to accumulate and so determine at once the true water-level

4. 4

   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.

   When the pressure of danger was not felt.

   Hostile forces are putting pressure on our people. Take out their supply line to give our troops room to breathe.

5. 5

   Distress.

   She has felt pressure lately because her boss expects her to get the job done by the first.

   My people's pressures are grievous.

   October 31, 1708, Francis Atterbury, a sermon preach'd before the Queen at St. James's In the midst of his great troubles and pressures.

   Thirty-five years ago, many journeys around London meant having to pass through the centre of the capital. That's no longer the case, which takes real pressure off the city's termini as well as underground routes such as the Circle Line.

6. 6

   Urgency.

   the pressure of business

7. 7

   obsoleteImpression; stamp; character impressed.

   All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past.

8. 8

   Variant of blood pressureEllipsis of blood pressure.

verb

1. 1

   To encourage or heavily exert force or influence.

   Do not let anyone pressure you into buying something you do not want.

Forms

plural

pressures

past tense

pressured

past participle

pressured

present participle

pressuring

third person singular

pressures