pressure

Everyday

1. Pressure is how hard something pushes on a surface: press on a cut to stop the bleeding. tree →
2. Air pressure and water pressure are the pushing force of air or water. tree →
3. Pressure is also the feeling of being pushed to do something or to do well: pressure from friends, pressure before a test. tree →
4. To pressure someone means to try hard to make them do something. tree →

In the lessons

In science pressure is force on an area: the same push on a smaller area makes more pressure, so a sharp knife cuts and snowshoes stop you sinking. Air pressure changes with the weather and with height, and water pressure grows deeper underwater. In first aid you press firmly on a bleeding cut. In lessons about feelings, «peer pressure» is when friends push you to do things you don't want to, and you can say no. Phrases: under pressure, peer pressure, blood pressure, apply pressure, tyre pressure.

Examples

• Press on the cut to put pressure on it and stop the bleeding. tree →
• Air pressure is lower at the top of a mountain. tree →
• Your ears may pop because of the pressure on a plane. tree →
• She felt a lot of pressure before the spelling test. tree →
• Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something dangerous. tree →
• Check the tyre pressure before a long bike ride. tree →
• Water pressure gets stronger the deeper you dive. tree →
• The nurse measured Grandma's blood pressure. tree →
• I knew him directly by the pressure of his hand." tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of pressure». The verb is «pressure» (or in the UK also «pressurise»). It comes from «press». Peer pressure is pressure from people your own age. In science, pressure is not the same as force: pressure depends on the area too.

In Jewish tradition

Elihu tells Job that his presence need not terrify him or weigh heavily on him.

Interpretation. Elihu is read as speaking gently to Job, as one who comes to explain and not to crush.

Examples

• Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee. (Writings JOB.33.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of pressure». The verb is «pressure» (or in the UK also «pressurise»). It comes from «press». Peer pressure is pressure from people your own age. In science, pressure is not the same as force: pressure depends on the area too.