mass noun
1
- the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it压力; 压迫：
the slight extra pressure he applied to her hand.
他往她手上微微多加的压力。
1.1
- count noun the force per unit area exerted by a fluid against a surface with which it is in contact压力; 压强：
gas can be fed to the turbines at a pressure of around 250 psi.
燃气可以约每平方英寸250磅的压强注入燃汽缸。
2
- the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something（经劝说、影响或胁迫施加的）压力：
back-benchers put pressure on the government to provide safeguards
普通议员向政府施压以提供保障措施
count noun the many pressures on girls to worry about their looks.让女孩担心长相的诸多压力。
2.1
- the influence or effect of someone or something影响; 影响力：
oil prices came under some downwards pressure.
油价面临下跌的压力。
2.2
- the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time压迫感：
he resigned due to pressure of work
他由于工作压力而辞职
count noun some offenders might find prison a refuge against the pressures of the outside world.一些罪犯可能把监狱看作逃避外界压力的避难所。
with obj.
- attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something试图劝说（或胁迫）（某人）做某事：
it might now be possible to pressure him into resigning
现在逼他辞职也许有可能
with obj. and infinitive she pressured her son to accept a job offer from the bank.她强迫儿子接受银行提供的一份工作。
词源
late Middle English: from Old French， from Latin pressura, from press- 'pressed'， from the verb premere （see PRESS1）.