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1. 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";
   - pressure level, force per unit area
    
2. A force that compels
   "the public brought pressure to bear on the government"
    
3. The act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
   "he used pressure to stop the bleeding";
   - press, pressing
    
4. The state of demanding notice or attention
   "the pressure of their hunger";
   - imperativeness, insistence, insistency, press
    
5. The somatic sensation that results from applying force to an area of skin
   "the sensitivity of his skin to pressure and temperature was normal";
   - pressure sensation
    
6. An oppressive condition of physical, mental, social or economic distress
    
7. The pressure exerted by the atmosphere
   - atmospheric pressure, air pressure

1. To cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
   "He pressured her for information";
   - coerce, hale [archaic], squeeze, force
    
2. Exert pressure on someone through threats
   - blackmail, blackjack

Derived forms: pressured, pressuring, pressures

Type of: act upon, compel, distress, force, gas pressure, influence, obligate, oblige, physical phenomenon, push, pushing, somaesthesia [Brit, Cdn], somatesthesia, somatic sensation, somesthesia [N. Amer], urgency, work

Encyclopedia: Pressure