pressurize

verb

pres·​sur·​ize ˈpre-shə-ˌrīz 

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

ˌpre-sh(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

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

Using dry nitrogen, Vast pressurized the module on the test stand twice — the first for a duration of five hours, and the second for 48 hours. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025

The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant into hot gas, which is sent to the coils in the outdoor unit or underground. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2025

Commercial airplane cabins are pressurized and heated, so flying at altitudes as high as 7 miles above sea level is safe. —Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025

Noon: The city's reservoir is full and all nine of the city's water zones are pressurized, which means the portions of Henrico and Hanover counties that didn't have water should be back, too, Avula says at a press conference. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pressurize

verb

pres·​sur·​ize ˈpresh-ə-ˌrīz 

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