What is pressure? Pronunciation and usage in English

pressure means . Learn how to pronounce and use pressure through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pressure

pressurenoun

/ˈprɛʃə/
Definition & pronunciation of pressure

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "pressure" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈpre.ʃər/ (This is using phonetic transcription – a system for representing sounds)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈpre – This part is stressed. It sounds like "preh" – like the beginning of "preheat." Think of it as a short, sharp "pre" sound.
  • ʃər – This part is smoother. The "sh" sound is pronounced like the "sh" in "ship." The "er" at the end is a short, light "er" sound, almost like "uh."

Putting it together, it's roughly: Preh-shur

Here’s a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine you’re saying "pre" and then quickly adding the "sh" sound, followed by a very light "er."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "pressure" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear the word pronounced. https://translate.google.com/
  • Forvo: This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers. https://forvo.com/word/pressure/
  • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce pressure” on YouTube—you’ll find many videos with clear demonstrations.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some similar-sounding words to help you distinguish the "sh" sound?

Usage and examples with the word pressure in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pressure" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Pressure (Force)

  • Definition: This is the most straightforward meaning – a force exerted on an object.
  • Examples:
    • "The water pressure in the pipe was too high."
    • "He felt the pressure of the mountain air."
    • "The scientist measured the pressure inside the container."

2. Psychological/Emotional Pressure (Stress, Strain)

  • Definition: This is a very common usage. It refers to feelings of stress, tension, or obligation.
  • Examples:
    • "She’s under a lot of pressure to succeed in her new job."
    • “The pressure to conform to social expectations can be overwhelming.”
    • "He felt the pressure of his family's expectations."
    • “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself!”
    • "The deadline created immense pressure."

3. Political/Social Pressure (Influence, Persuasion)

  • Definition: The force exerted to influence someone's actions or decisions.
  • Examples:
    • "The campaign group is putting pressure on the government to change the law."
    • "He faced pressure from his colleagues to accept the promotion."
    • "The investigation brought significant pressure on the suspect."
    • “They were trying to apply pressure to get a better deal.”

4. Atmospheric Pressure

  • Definition: The force exerted by the weight of the air above a point. (This is more scientific)
  • Example: “The barometer reading indicated a drop in atmospheric pressure.”

5. “Put Pressure On” – (Demanding, Pushing)

  • Definition: This is a common idiomatic expression. It means to demand something of someone, or to push them hard.
  • Examples:
    • "Don't put pressure on him to finish it tonight; he needs time."
    • "The coach was putting pressure on the team to win the game."

6. "Under Pressure" – (Dealing with Stress)

  • Definition: This is a phrase that describes being in a stressful situation.
  • Examples:
    • "She works really well under pressure."
    • “He’s not coping well under pressure at work.”

Important Related Words & Phrases:

  • High pressure: Indicating a large amount of stress or force.
  • Low pressure: Indicating little stress or force.
  • Release pressure: To reduce stress or force.
  • Build pressure: To increase stress or force.
  • Even the pressure: To make the situation more balanced.

Tips for Using “Pressure” Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the situation to understand the intended meaning.
  • Consider the Tone: “Pressure” can be neutral, negative (stressful), or sometimes even slightly positive (challenging).
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning, consider using synonyms like: strain, stress, tension, force, influence, demand, obligation.

Could you tell me a little more about how you want to use the word "pressure"? For example:

  • Are you writing a story?
  • Are you trying to understand a conversation you heard?
  • Do you want me to give you some more specific examples related to a particular topic (e.g., sports, work, relationships)?

Synonyms for the word pressure

Idioms of the word pressure

put pressure on somebody (to do something)
to force or to try to persuade somebody to do something
  • Advertisements put pressure on girls to be thin.
under pressure
if a liquid or a gas is kept under pressure, it is forced into a container so that when the container is opened, the liquid or gas escapes quickly
  • Draught beer is pumped out of the barrel under pressure.
being forced to do something
  • The director is under increasing pressure to resign.
  • Hospital staff are coming under pressure to work longer hours.
made to feel anxious about something you have to do
  • The team performs well under pressure.
  • He's felt under pressure since his wife had the operation.

Practice with vocabulary pressure

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team felt immense ______ to deliver the project on time and under budget.
  2. Working long hours and managing multiple deadlines created a high level of ______ for the employees.
  3. The new regulations put considerable ______ on small businesses to comply with stricter environmental standards.
  4. The CEO's charismatic personality and logical arguments often ______ his board members to agree with his proposals.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word best completes the sentence: "The project manager felt significant ______ to complete the merger negotiations before the end of the quarter." a) burden b) stress c) pressure d) anxiety

  2. Which of the following actions indicate an attempt to influence or compel someone? (Select all that apply) a) exerting influence b) applying pressure c) offering a suggestion d) making a request

  3. In which of the following contexts would the word "pressure" be an appropriate and common term? (Select all that apply) a) Describing the force of a gas in a container. b) Referring to the social influence on individuals within a group. c) Indicating a feeling of urgency or demand to perform. d) Explaining the physical weight of an object on a surface.

  4. Which word best describes a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from demanding circumstances? a) tension b) relaxation c) ease d) comfort

  5. Which word describes a strong, often negative, emotional or mental effect caused by something difficult or unpleasant? a) relief b) impact c) challenge d) strain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence using "pressure": The management team was compelled to make quick decisions due to the urgent circumstances.

  2. Rewrite the sentence using a related form of "pressure": The company's financial situation became increasingly difficult, requiring immediate attention.

  3. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, without using "pressure" or its related forms: Employees experienced significant emotional strain due to the high workload and tight deadlines.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. pressure
  2. stress
  3. pressure
  4. influence

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) pressure
  2. a) exerting influence, b) applying pressure
  3. a) Describing the force of a gas in a container., b) Referring to the social influence on individuals within a group., c) Indicating a feeling of urgency or demand to perform.
  4. a) tension
  5. d) strain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The management team was under pressure to make quick decisions due to the urgent circumstances.
  2. The company faced pressing financial difficulties, requiring immediate attention.
  3. Employees experienced significant stress due to the high workload and tight deadlines.

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