pressure

plural pressures

1. countableuncountableA pressing; a force applied to a surface.

   Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

2. countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe amount of force that is applied over a given area divided by the size of this area; force per unit area.
3. countableuncountableAn amount of pressure.

   the throttle valve should be partially closed which will allow a pressure of steam to accumulate and so determine at once the true water-level

   1880, William Miller Barr, Handbook for Steam Engineers and Owners: Being a Practical Guide to the Selection and Care of Steam Machinery, J.H. Kerrick & Company, page 119

4. countableuncountableA contrasting force or impulse of any kind.

   the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.

   2 more examples

   When the pressure of danger was not felt.

   1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XVI, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC

   Hostile forces are putting pressure on our people. Take out their supply line to give our troops room to breathe.

   2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Disrupt Enemy Supplies

5. countableuncountableDistress.

   She has felt pressure lately because her boss expects her to get the job done by the first.

   3 more examples

   My people's pressures are grievous.

   1649, Eikon Basilike

   October 31, 1708, Francis Atterbury, a sermon preach'd before the Queen at St. James's In the midst of his great troubles and pressures.

   Thirty-five years ago, many journeys around London meant having to pass through the centre of the capital. That's no longer the case, which takes real pressure off the city's termini as well as underground routes such as the Circle Line.

   2020 May 20, Paul Bigland, “East London Line's renaissance”, in Rail, page 49

   Synonyms: affliction, grievance

6. countableuncountableUrgency.

   the pressure of business

   Synonyms: press

7. IndiaabbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of blood pressure.
8. countableobsoleteuncountableImpression; stamp; character impressed.

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

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v]

present singular third person pressures · participle present pressuring · participle past pressured · past pressured

1. transitiveTo encourage or heavily exert force or influence.

   Do not let anyone pressure you into buying something you do not want.