pressure
pronunciation
How to pronounce pressure in British English:
UK [ˈpreʃə(r)]
How to pronounce pressure in American English:
US [ˈpreʃər]
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- Noun:
- the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
- a force that compels
- the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
- the state of urgently demanding notice or attention
- the somatic sensation of pressure
- an oppressive condition of physical or mental or social or economic distress
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- Verb:
- to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
- exert pressure on someone through threats
Word Origin
- pressure (n.)
- late 14c., "suffering, anguish; act or fact of pressing on the mind or heart," from Old French presseure "oppression; torture; anguish; press" (for wine or cheeses), "instrument of torture" (12c.) and directly from Latin pressura "action of pressing," from pressus, past participle of premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Literal meaning "act or fact of pressing" in a physical sense is attested from early 15c. Meaning "moral or mental coercing force" is from 1620s; meaning "urgency" is from 1812. Scientific sense in physics is from 1650s. Pressure cooker is attested from 1915; figurative sense is from 1958. Pressure point is attested from 1876. Pressure-treated, of woods, is from 1911.
- pressure (v.)
- "to pressurize," 1886, American English, from pressure (n.). Meaning "to exert pressure on" (someone) is attested by 1922. Related: Pressured; pressuring.