Language Research

pressure · noun

/ˈpreʃ.ər/Full view

Word family

Nouns: press, pressure

Adjectives: pressed, pressing

Verbs: press, pressure

pressure (MAKE SOMEONE DO)

B2 U when someone tries to make someone else do something by arguing, persuading, etc.

Dictionary examples:

political/peer pressure

Teachers are under pressure to work longer hours.

He's responding to pressure from local politicians who want the bridge built quickly.

He only asked her under pressure from his wife.

Learner example:

I understand that you must work a lot because of the pressure from your boss, but I will in spite of that warn you and ask you to think over the situation. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

put pressure on sb

B2 to try to force someone to do something

Dictionary example:

They're putting pressure on me to make a decision.

Learner example:

She puts a lot of pressure on me and beli[e]ves that I can do it in the same way as she did. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

pressure (PROBLEMS)

B2 C or U a difficult situation that makes you feel worried or unhappy

Dictionary examples:

They've been putting a lot of pressure on her at work lately.

Be nice to him - he's been under a lot of pressure.

Can you work well under pressure?

the pressures of work

Learner example:

I have two younger sisters so I think I can cope with the pressure [of] helping out in the summer camps. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

pressure (FORCE)

C2 U the force you produce when you press something

Dictionary examples:

He put too much pressure on the door handle and it snapped.

You can stop bleeding by applying pressure close to the injured area.

pressure (LIQUID/GAS)

C1 C or U the force that a liquid or gas produces when it presses against an area

Dictionary example:

water/air pressure

Learner example:

The process of hydro-electric power generation is using the water pressure from the reservoir to generate the power, which is then transported to [a] transformer station through high voltage cables. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Chinese)