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Definition of pressure - 10 dictionary results

pres⋅sure

  [presh-er] noun, verb, -sured, -sur⋅ing.
Use pressure in a Sentence
–noun
1. the exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, etc., in contact with it: the pressure of earth against a wall.
2. Physics. force per unit area. Symbol: P Compare stress (def. 6).
3. Meteorology. atmospheric pressure.
4. Electricity. electromotive force.
5. the state of being pressed or compressed.
6. harassment; oppression: the pressures of daily life.
7. a constraining or compelling force or influence: the social pressures of city life; financial pressure.
8. urgency, as of affairs or business: He works well under pressure.
9. Obsolete. that which is impressed.
–verb (used with object)
10. to force (someone) toward a particular end; influence: They pressured him into accepting the contract.
11. pressurize.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME (n.) < L pressūra. See press 1 , -ure

Related forms:
pres⋅sure⋅less, adjective

electromotive force

 
–noun Electricity.
the energy available for conversion from nonelectric to electric form, or vice versa, per unit of charge passing through the source of the energy; the potential difference between the terminals of a source of electrical energy: expressed in volts. Abbreviation: emf
Also called pressure.

Origin:
1825–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pres·sure   (prěsh'ər)   
n.  
    1. The act of pressing.
    2. The condition of being pressed.
  2. The application of continuous force by one body on another that it is touching; compression.
  3. Abbr. P Physics Force applied uniformly over a surface, measured as force per unit of area.
  4. Meteorology Atmospheric pressure.
  5. A compelling or constraining influence, such as a moral force, on the mind or will: pressure to conform; peer-group pressure.
  6. Urgent claim or demand: under the pressure of business; doesn't work well under pressure.
  7. An oppressive condition of physical, mental, social, or economic distress.
  8. A physical sensation produced by compression of a part of the body.
  9. Archaic A mark made by application of force or weight; an impression.
tr.v.   pres·sured, pres·sur·ing, pres·sures
  1. To force, as by overpowering influence or persuasion.
  2. To pressurize.
  3. To pressure-cook.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pressūra, from pressus, past participle of premere, to press; see per-4 in Indo-European roots.]
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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Pressure

Pres"sure\, n. Electro-motive force.

Pressure

Pres"sure\ (?; 138), n. [OF., fr. L. pressura, fr. premere. See 4th Press.]

1. The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed; compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of the hand.

2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.

Where the pressure of danger was not felt. --Macaulay.

3. Affliction; distress; grievance.

My people's pressures are grievous. --Eikon Basilike.

In the midst of his great troubles and pressures. --Atterbury.

4. Urgency; as, the pressure of business.

5. Impression; stamp; character impressed.

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

6. (Mech.) The action of a force against some obstacle or opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust, distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference to the upon a unit's area.

Atmospheric pressure, Center of pressure, etc. See under Atmospheric, Center, etc.

Back pressure (Steam engine), pressure which resists the motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam which does not find free outlet.

Fluid pressure, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. --Rankine.

Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : pressure
Spanish: presión,
German: der Druck,
Japanese: 圧力
More Translations »

pressure

The force exerted on a given area. (See atmospheric pressure.)

Note: The most familiar measure of pressure is psi (pounds per square inch), used to rate pressure in automobile and bicycle tires.
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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pressure  (n.)
1382, "act or fact of pressing on the mind or heart," from O.Fr. pressure (12c.), from L. pressura "action of pressing," from pressus, pp. of premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Literal meaning "act or fact of pressing" in a physical sense is attested from 1601. Scientific sense in physics is from 1660. The verb meaning "to exert pressure on" is attested from 1939, Amer.Eng. Pressure cooker is attested from 1915; fig. sense is from 1958.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pres·sure
Pronunciation: 'presh-&r
Function: noun
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
4 : ELECTROMOTIVEFORCE
5 : ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
6 : a touch sensation aroused bymoderate compression of the skin
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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pressure pres·sure (prěsh'ər)
n.

  1. The act of pressing or condition of being pressed.
  2. A stress or force acting in any direction against resistance.
  3. Force applied uniformly over a surface, measured as force per unit of area.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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pressure   (prěsh'ər)  Pronunciation Key 
The force per unit area that one region of a gas, liquid, or solid exerts on another. Pressure is usually measured in Pascal units, atmospheres, or pounds per square inch. ◇ A substance is said to have negative pressure if some other substance exerts more force per unit area on it than vice versa. Its value is simply the negative of the pressure exerted by the other substance.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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