pressure
/ˈpɹɛʃɚ/ noun A2- A pressing; a force applied to a surface. · Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
- The amount of force that is applied over a given area divided by the size of this area; force per unit area.
- An amount of pressure.
- A 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.
- Distress. · She has felt pressure lately because her boss expects her to get the job done by the first.· 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.
- Urgency. · the pressure of business
Plural pressures
From the library
In the middle of a cyclone the air is generally still, but the great pressure of the wind on every side of the house raised it up higher and higher, until it was at the very top of the cyclone; and there it remained and was carried miles and miles away as easily as you could carry a feather.
But soon she saw one of his ears sticking up through the hole, for the strong pressure of the air was keeping him up so that he could not fall.
Her hands were grasping the arms of her chair, and I saw that the pink nails had turned white with the pressure of her grip.
He therefore put pressure upon Mrs.
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