I. ˈpreshə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Late Latin pressura, from Latin, action of pressing, pressure, from pressus (past participle of premere to press) + -ura -ure; in other senses, from Latin pressura — more at press
1.
a. : the burden of physical or mental distress : the oppression of adversity, grief, illness, or trouble
b. : the constraint of circumstance : the weight of social or economic imposition
the pressure of poverty
financial pressure
c. : the operation of a factor urging toward commitment or decision
the pressure of community disapproval
2. : the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression , pushing , squeezing
felt the quick pressure of her companion's hand
3. archaic : a mark impressed on something : image , stamp
from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records … all forms, all pressures past that youth and observation copied there — Shakespeare
4.
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
c. : electromotive force
5. : the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention : exaction , exigency , obligation
the pressure of affairs
the pressure of a family's necessities
6. : a factor that tends to reduce a wild animal population ; especially : any such factor arising from human activity
hunting pressure
population pressures
7. : atmospheric pressure
8. : a touch sensation aroused by moderate compression of the skin — distinguished from contact and pain
Synonyms: see stress
II. transitive verb
( pressured ; pressured ; pressuring -sh(ə)riŋ ; pressures )
1. : to apply pressure to : bring influence to bear on : constrain
several advertisers … have pressured business papers — C.B.Larrabee
2. : to increase or intensify pressure in : pressurize
pressurized cabins are pressured at about 5000 feet — G.A.Smathers
3. : to cook in a pressure cooker
a box of beef or mutton bones, pressured until the marrow is extracted, makes excellent broth — All-Pets Magazine