Translate pressure | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of pressure
noun
1the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it:the slight extra pressure he applied to her hand the force exerted per unit area:gas can be fed to the turbines at a pressure of around 250 psi
2the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something:the proposals put pressure on Britain to drop its demand the many pressures on girls to worry about their looks the influence or effect of someone or something:oil prices came under some downward pressure the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time:you need to be able to work under pressure and not get flustered some offenders might find prison a refuge against the pressures of the outside world
verb
[with object] attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something:it might now be possible to pressure him into resigning [with object and infinitive]:she pressured her son to accept a job offer from the bank
