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
Far from home Foreign policy in the Middle East has been a crucial pressure point for Biden.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
At the start of each round, squads are airdropped into a zone of their choice, where an ever-present storm looms over the map, controlling the arena and guiding competitors into pressure points for combat (like Fortnite).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
Koufax taught Honeycutt how using pressure points tightened the spin.
—Andy McCullough, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
This provided a clear pressure point for Tehran against its regional rivals.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pressure point 
Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
At the start of each round, squads are airdropped into a zone of their choice, where an ever-present storm looms over the map, controlling the arena and guiding competitors into pressure points for combat (like Fortnite).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
Koufax taught Honeycutt how using pressure points tightened the spin.
—Andy McCullough, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
This provided a clear pressure point for Tehran against its regional rivals.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pressure point
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pressure point.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pressure point
Cite this Entry
“Pressure point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressure%20point. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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?
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