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atmospheric pressure

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atmospheric pressure

–noun Meteorology.
1. the pressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere at any given point, being the product of the mass of the atmospheric column of the unit area above the given point and of the gravitational acceleration at the given point.
2. a value of standard or normal atmospheric pressure, equivalent to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 29.92 in. (760 mm) high, or 1013 millibars (101.3 kilopascals).


Origin:
1655–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To atmospheric pressure
atmospheric pressure  
n.  Pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere. At sea level it has a mean value of one atmosphere but reduces with increasing altitude.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

atmospheric pressure

The pressure caused by the weight of the air above a given point.

Note: Normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is about fifteen pounds per square inch. (See barometer.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: atmospheric pressure
Function: noun
: the pressure exerted in every direction at any given point by the weight of the atmosphere
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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