pressurize
verb
pres·sur·ize ˈpre-shə-ˌrīz 
pressurized; pressurizing
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
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
The fuel maintains the same external geometry as existing 19-element and 37-element fuel designs, which allows it to be integrated into current CANDU and pressurized heavy-water reactor systems without hardware or core design modifications. —
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026 Bylsma shared that humans can experience respiration changes (such as increases in respiratory rate) beginning at altitudes as low as 4,000 to 5,000 feet, while airplane cabins are pressurized to simulate altitudes of 6,000 to 8,000 feet. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 Howard Hu, the program manager for Orion, said NASA was tracking an issue with the helium system that pressurizes Orion’s service module propulsion system to deliver fuel and oxidizer to the engine. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026 The closeout crew will then pressurize the Crew Module side hatch with gaseous nitrogen so that it can be quickly opened in the event of an emergency exit. —Miles Doran, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pressurize
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.
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026 Bylsma shared that humans can experience respiration changes (such as increases in respiratory rate) beginning at altitudes as low as 4,000 to 5,000 feet, while airplane cabins are pressurized to simulate altitudes of 6,000 to 8,000 feet. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 Howard Hu, the program manager for Orion, said NASA was tracking an issue with the helium system that pressurizes Orion’s service module propulsion system to deliver fuel and oxidizer to the engine. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026 The closeout crew will then pressurize the Crew Module side hatch with gaseous nitrogen so that it can be quickly opened in the event of an emergency exit. —Miles Doran, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pressurize
Cite this Entry
“Pressurize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/pressurize. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˌpresh-(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
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