pressure
UK: ˈpreʃə | US: ˈpreʃər
n. the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object
n. mental or emotional strain caused by demanding circumstances
vt. to apply force or influence to someone or something
The word "pressure" traces back to the Latin pressura, derived from premere (to press). The morpheme "press" retains its core meaning of applying force, while the suffix "-ure" (from Latin -ura) nominalizes the action, turning it into a result or state. Over time, the term expanded from physical force to abstract concepts like psychological stress, reflecting the logical progression from tangible to intangible "pressing" forces.
The pressure of the water pipe must be checked regularly.
She felt immense pressure to perform well in the exam.
The government pressured the company to reduce emissions.
High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues.
He applied gentle pressure to stop the bleeding.