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pressure

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Pressure
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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
Pressure
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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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Cultural Dictionary

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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Word Origin & History

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: elec·tro·mo·tive force
Pronunciation: i-"lek-trO-"mOt-iv-, -tr&-
Function: noun
: something that moves or tends to moveelectricity : the potential difference derived from an electrical source (as a cell or generator) per unit quantity of electricity passing through the source

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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Medical Dictionary

electromotive force e·lec·tro·mo·tive force (ĭ-lěk'trō-mō'tĭv)
n.
Abbr. EMF
The energy per unit charge that is reversibly converted from chemical or other forms of energy into electrical energy in a battery.

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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