1. (noun)pressure, pressure level, force per unit area 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"
2. (noun)pressure a force that compels
"the public brought pressure to bear on the government"
3. (noun)press, pressure, pressing the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
"he gave the button a press"; "he used pressure to stop the bleeding"; "at the pressing of a button"
4. (noun)imperativeness, insistence, insistency, press, pressure the state of demanding notice or attention
"the insistence of their hunger"; "the press of business matters"
5. (noun)pressure, pressure sensation the somatic sensation that results from applying force to an area of skin
"the sensitivity of his skin to pressure and temperature was normal"
6. (noun)pressure an oppressive condition of physical or mental or social or economic distress
7. (noun)atmospheric pressure, air pressure, pressure the pressure exerted by the atmosphere
8. (verb)coerce, hale, squeeze, pressure, force to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
"He squeezed her for information"
9. (verb)blackmail, blackjack, pressure exert pressure on someone through threats