pressure

1 noun

1 force (U) the act of force or weight being put on to something: The pressure of the water turns the wheel. | factors such as temperature and pressure

2 strength (C, U) the strength of the force or weight put on something: high/low pressure: The gas containers burst at high pressures. | Low atmospheric pressure often brings rain.

—see also: blood pressure

3 STRONG (U) an attempt to persuade someone by using influence, arguments, or threats

(+ for): pressure for change inside the party | pressure to do sth: There was great pressure to conform to existing standards. | under pressure from: John only agreed to go under pressure from his parents. | be/come under pressure (to do sth): The company is under pressure to improve pay and conditions. | give in to pressure (=agree to do something that someone has persuaded you to do) | put pressure on (=to try to persuade someone to do something because it is their duty.): Their parents were putting pressure on them to get married. | exert pressure on/bring pressure to bear on formal: Special interest groups can bring great pressure to bear on legislation.

4 problems/demands (C, U) conditions of work or a way of living that cause anxiety or difficulties: Paul changed jobs because he couldn't stand the pressure

(+ on): There are a lot of pressures on young people today. | under pressure: You need to be able to work accurately under pressure. | pressure of work: Lou couldn't stay long because of pressure of work.

5 pile on the pressure to increase the amount of pressure on someone: Just when she was at her weakest, Martin started piling on the emotional pressure.

2 verb (T) to try to make someone do something by making them feel it is their duty to do it; pressurize BrE: pressure sb into doing sth: I've been pressured into helping with the decorating. | pressure sb to do sth