pressure
gb/pɹˈɛʃɚ/ us/pɹˈɛʃɚ/
B1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Force applied to something
A steady push or force on something from another thing touching it.
Usage pattern:
[something] puts pressure on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pressure' with 'stress' in contexts where only physical force is meant.
Synonyms
force (A broader term for physical power or strength applied to something.)
Antonyms
vacuum (A space without matter, and therefore without physical pressure.)
Collocations
high pressure
|air pressure
|water pressure
|under pressure
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pressure inside the tire was too low.
- High water pressure can damage old pipes.
- The diver felt the pressure increase as he went deeper underwater.
Learner examples
- The air pressure is high today.
- I can feel the pressure of the belt.
- The pressure of the water is strong.
Noun
B1
state
2
Stress from demands or expectations
A feeling of worry or stress because you have to do something difficult or important.
Usage pattern:
be under pressure to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'pressure' instead of 'stress' in casual emotional contexts without external demands, which can sound unnatural.
Synonyms
stress (A close synonym, but can refer more generally to any mental strain, not just from demands.)
Antonyms
relief (The removal of stress or strain.)
Collocations
under pressure
|put pressure on someone
|cope with pressure
Themes
emotions
|work
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is under a lot of pressure at work.
- The coach put pressure on the players to win.
- He performs well under pressure.
Learner examples
- I feel pressure before the test.
- He is under pressure to finish the work.
- She works well under pressure.
Noun
B2
quantity
3
Measured force per unit area
How much force is pushed on an area, measured in science or engineering.
Synonyms
tension (In physics, can refer to force along a material, but not identical to general pressure.)
Antonyms
vacuum (An absence of matter and thus no measurable pressure.)
Collocations
atmospheric pressure
|blood pressure
|pressure gauge
Themes
science
|engineering
Examples
- Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
- The nurse checked my blood pressure.
- The gauge shows the internal pressure of the tank.
Learner examples
- The doctor checks my blood pressure.
- Air pressure is lower on a mountain.
- We measure the gas pressure.
Verb
B2
action
4
Persuade or urge strongly
To try hard to make someone do something they may not want to do.
Usage pattern:
pressure [someone] into [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget 'into' when using 'pressure' as a verb in this sense.
Synonyms
coerce (Implies stronger or possibly forceful persuasion, sometimes with threats.)
Antonyms
encourage (Suggesting support without forceful persuasion.)
Collocations
pressure someone into doing something
|feel pressured
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They pressured him into signing the contract.
- She felt pressured to attend the meeting.
- The group is pressuring the government to act.
Learner examples
- He pressured me to buy the car.
- She feels pressured to say yes.
- They pressured us into helping.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pressure
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛʃɚ/
US/pɹˈɛʃɚ/
Syllables & stress
pres - sure (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pres)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pressure
- Plural: pressure, pressures
Verb
- Base: pressure
- 3rd Person Singular: pressures
- Present Participle: pressuring
- Past: pressured
Word family
Forms
pressures
noun
pressuring
verb
pressured
verb
Core family
press
verb A2
Related words
pressing
adjective
pressurize
verb B2
Advanced or less common
pressurization
noun C1
depressurize
verb
Expressions
blood pressure
1/blˈʌd pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Force of blood in arteries
The strength of blood moving through your body, measured by doctors.
Examples
- My blood pressure is normal today.
- High blood pressure can be dangerous.
pressure cooker situation
1/pɹˈɛʃɚ kˈʊkɚ sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
idiom
Very tense situation with no relief until resolved
A situation where people feel very stressed and tense because of difficult conditions.
Examples
- The office became a pressure cooker situation before the deadline.
- Living in that house was like being in a pressure cooker.
put pressure on someone
1/pˈʊt pɹˈɛʃɚ ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Apply influence to make someone act
To try to make someone do something by asking many times or making them feel they must do it.
Examples
- The manager put pressure on the team to finish early.
- Parents often put pressure on children to succeed.
under pressure
1/ˈʌndɚ pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Experiencing stress from demands
Feeling stress because you have to do something difficult or important.
Examples
- I work better when I'm under pressure.
- She’s under a lot of pressure before exams.
under pressure
2/ˈʌndɚ pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
experiencing stress or demands
In a situation where you feel stressed because of many demands or problems.
Examples
- She performs well under pressure.
- I'm really under pressure at work this week.