Definition

1. Noun:

   • Physical Force: The continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
   • Mental or Social Stress: An oppressive condition of mental, social, or economic distress; a sense of urgency or demand.
   • Scientific Measurement: The force applied to a unit area of a surface, measured in units like pascals.
   • Compelling Influence: A force that compels someone to do something.

2. Verb:

   • To Coerce or Urge: To attempt to persuade or force someone to do something by applying mental or social stress.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The pressure of the water against the dam was immense. (Physical force)
  • She felt a lot of pressure to succeed from her family. (Mental stress)
  • The gas is stored at high pressure. (Scientific measurement)
  • Public pressure forced the company to change its policy. (Compelling influence)

• Verb:

  • The manager pressured the team to finish the project early.
  • He felt pressured into agreeing.

Advanced Usage

• "Under pressure": Experiencing stress or being forced to act quickly.
  • She performs well under pressure.
• "Bring pressure to bear on": To use influence to try to make someone do something.
  • The group brought pressure to bear on the local council.
• "Pressure point": A sensitive or critical spot, either physically or in a situation.
  • The issue became a political pressure point.

Variants and Related Words

• Pressurize (Verb): To maintain normal atmospheric pressure in an aircraft cabin; or, to coerce (less common than 'pressure' as a verb).
  • The cabin is pressurized for passenger comfort.
• Pressurization (Noun): The process of maintaining normal atmospheric pressure.
• Pressure Cooker (Noun - Compound): A sealed pot for cooking quickly under steam pressure; metaphorically, a tense situation.
  • The final exam week was a real pressure cooker.

Synonyms

• Noun: Force, stress, strain, urgency, coercion, compulsion.
• Verb: Coerce, compel, push, urge, force.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Pressure into (doing something): To coerce someone into a specific action.
  • They pressured him into resigning.
• Pressure for: To demand or urge action on something.
  • Activists are pressuring the government for reform.

Related Idioms

• Put the pressure on: To increase the demands or stress on someone.
  • With the deadline approaching, the boss is really putting the pressure on.
• Yield to pressure: To give in or agree because of coercion.
  • The administration yielded to pressure from investors.

Noun

1. the pressure exerted by the atmosphere
2. an oppressive condition of physical or mental or social or economic distress
3. the somatic sensation that results from applying force to an area of skin
   • the sensitivity of his skin to pressure and temperature was normal
4. the state of demanding notice or attention
   • the insistence of their hunger
   • the press of business matters
5. the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
   • he gave the button a press
   • he used pressure to stop the bleeding
   • at the pressing of a button
6. a force that compels
   • the public brought pressure to bear on the government
7. the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
   • the compressed gas exerts an increased pressure

Verb

1. exert pressure on someone through threats
2. to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
   • He squeezed her for information