pressure point
noun
1
a
: an area on the body sensitive to pressure: such as
(1)
: a discrete point on the body that when pressed causes pain
The technique involves using pressure points along the jaw to cause pain and induce temporary paralysis of the jaw.—
Margaret Harding
Margaret Harding
(2)
: a point on the body to which pressure is applied (as in acupressure or reflexology) for therapeutic purposes
… an ancient Chinese art and science that uses pressure points in the feet and hands to relax and revitalize the entire body.—Vogue
Vogue
b
: a point on the body where a blood vessel (such as the femoral artery) can be compressed against an underlying bone to slow blood flow and control bleeding
… begin controlling bleeding by pressing on pressure points or by applying tourniquets.—Shakava Andres
Shakava Andres
c
: a region of the body where a static position tends to cause circulatory deficiency and the development of bedsores
Pressure points of the human body when lying down in bed receive poor blood circulation, which causes the sore.—Mike Cote
Mike Cote2
: a sensitive critical issue or matter that can be exploited for one's advantage
political pressure points
Examples of pressure point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Side sleepers require a pillow that fills the gap between the head and the mattress, ensuring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure points.
—Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump has ended his predecessor’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, lifting a pressure point that had been meant to reduce civilian casualties during the U.S. ally’s war with Hamas in Gaza that is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
That means rookie Cole Bishop would get the start, and because of his relative inexperience compared to the rest of the defense, that is a pressure point for the Chiefs to try to target.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Massage Your Temples, Scalp, and Neck Try self-massage or pressure point stimulation on the head or neck to ease tension, pressure, and pain.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pressure point
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.
Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump has ended his predecessor’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, lifting a pressure point that had been meant to reduce civilian casualties during the U.S. ally’s war with Hamas in Gaza that is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.
—Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
That means rookie Cole Bishop would get the start, and because of his relative inexperience compared to the rest of the defense, that is a pressure point for the Chiefs to try to target.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Massage Your Temples, Scalp, and Neck Try self-massage or pressure point stimulation on the head or neck to ease tension, pressure, and pain.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pressure point
Cite this Entry
“Pressure point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressure%20point. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pressure point
noun1
: a region of the body in which the distribution of soft and skeletal parts is such that a static position (as of a part in a cast or of a bedridden person) tends to cause circulatory deficiency and necrosis due to local compression of blood vessels
Saggy mattresses invite bedsores. One of the best preventive steps for a bedridden patient is use of the special eggcrate foam mattresses that distribute patient weight more evenly softening major pressure points.—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
compare bedsore
Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News2
: a discrete point on the body to which pressure is applied (as in acupressure or reflexology) for therapeutic purposes
3
: a point on the body where a blood vessel (as the brachial or femoral artery) can be compressed against an underlying bone to slow blood flow and control bleeding
Even before you leave the water, begin controlling bleeding by pressing on pressure points or by applying tourniquets.—Shakava Andres, The Florida Times-Union
Shakava Andres, The Florida Times-UnionLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share