Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To increase the pressure within a closed space or container: To artificially raise the internal pressure of a system, such as an aircraft cabin or a gas tank, above the external ambient pressure.
   • To maintain a controlled, higher pressure: To keep the pressure inside a sealed environment at a specific level, often for safety, comfort, or functional reasons.
   • (Figurative) To apply psychological or social pressure: To coerce or attempt to force someone into doing something.

Usage

• The verb "pressurize" is used with a direct object (e.g., pressurize ).
• It is often used in technical, engineering, and aviation contexts.
• In its figurative sense, it is commonly used in social, business, or personal contexts.

Examples

• Technical/Physical Meaning:

  • The engineers had to pressurize the fuel tank before the test.
  • For high-altitude flights, the cockpit must be pressurized to protect the crew.
  • This device pressurizes the water in the irrigation system.

• Figurative/Psychological Meaning:

  • Don't let them pressurize you into making a hasty decision.
  • She felt pressurized by her family's high expectations.

Advanced Usage

• "to pressurize someone into (doing) something": A common collocation for the figurative use, meaning to apply pressure to make someone act.
  • The manager tried to pressurize the team into working overtime.

Variants and Related Words

• Pressurization (noun): The act or process of pressurizing.
  • Cabin pressurization is essential for commercial air travel.
• Pressurized (adjective): Describing something that is under pressure.
  • The astronauts entered the pressurized module.
  • He works in a pressurized environment with tight deadlines. (Figurative)
• Depressurize (verb): The opposite action; to reduce or release pressure.
  • The aircraft will slowly depressurize as it descends.

Synonyms

• Physical: Compress, pump up.
• Figurative: Coerce, pressure, force, compel, bully.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Pressurize" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The figurative meaning is typically expressed with the preposition "into.") - Pressure into: A near-synonymous phrase for the figurative sense. - They pressured him into signing the contract.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "pressurize." Its figurative use is direct.)

Verb

1. increase the pressure in or of
   • The captain will pressurize the cabin for the passengers' comfort
2. maintain a certain pressure
   • the airplane cabin is pressurized
   • pressurize a space suit
3. increase the pressure on a gas or liquid