pressurise

Everyday

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia) To try to make someone do something by pushing or persuading them hard; to pressure. tree →
2. To keep the air pressure inside an aeroplane, spacesuit or container at a set level, usually higher than outside. tree →

In the lessons

In PSHE and safety lessons: friends may pressurise you to do something you don't want to; it is fine to say no. In science lessons: aeroplane cabins and spacesuits are pressurised so people can breathe high up; aerosol cans are pressurised.

Examples

• Don't let anyone pressurise you into doing something unsafe. tree →
• The older kids pressurised him to skip school. tree →
• Aeroplane cabins are pressurised. tree →
• The can is pressurised, so never put it in a fire. tree →
• Astronauts' suits are pressurised. tree →
• I felt pressurised to agree with everyone. tree →

Note

Regular verb; -ise in UK spelling. In US English, «pressure» is more common as the verb for people (they pressured him), and «pressurize» for air. Safety: pressurised cans can explode if heated.