pressurize

verb

pres·​sur·​ize ˈpre-shə-ˌrīz How to pronounce pressurize (audio)
pressurized; pressurizing

transitive verb

1
: to confine the contents of under a pressure greater than that of the outside atmosphere
especially : to maintain near-normal atmospheric pressure in during high-altitude or spaceflight (as by means of a supercharger)
2
: to apply pressure to
3
: to design to withstand pressure
pressurization noun
pressurizer noun

Examples of pressurize in a Sentence

A pump is used to pressurize the fuel. The system that pressurizes the airplane's cabin failed to operate correctly. Don't let them pressurize you to do anything you don't want to do.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In one example, an isolation room at a hospital was found to have been pressurized wrongly, with air flowing out of the room with the measles patient, Neu said. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 Courtesy family of Thomas Cooper Hyperbaric chambers are pressurized, tubelike devices that people lie or sit in for treatment, depending on the type of chamber. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025 The interior of the aircraft is pressurized to allow for the cabin air to contain enough oxygen for the crew and passengers to not have to wear masks. Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 There are baskets for single or double shots, by the way, and both pressurized and non-pressurized baskets are included in the box in both sizes. Scott Kramer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pressurize

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressurize was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Pressurize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressurize. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pressurize

verb
pres·​sur·​ize ˈpresh-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce pressurize (audio)
pressurized; pressurizing
1
: to maintain near-normal atmospheric pressure in
pressurize an airplane cabin
2
: to apply pressure to
pressurization
ˌpresh-(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pressurize

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