How to pronounce pressure
Say it like PRESH-er. Pressure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pressure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRESH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pressure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of pressure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PRESH-uh.
What does pressure mean?
- the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)“the compressed gas exerts an increased pressure”
- a force that compels“the public brought pressure to bear on the government”
- the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure“he gave the button a press”“he used pressure to stop the bleeding”
- to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means“She forced him to take a job in the city”“He squeezed her for information”
- exert pressure on someone through threats
Where does pressure come from?
Derived from Latin pressūra.
Words that rhyme with pressure
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pressure.
Questions about saying pressure
How do you pronounce pressure?
Say PRESH-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈprɛʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pressure?
Pressure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRESH). Broken into parts: PRESH · er.
Is pressure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈprɛʃə/ (PRESH-uh).