What does pressurize mean?
Pressurize means to increase or maintain the pressure within a sealed or enclosed space, usually by pumping in air or another gas. The word is especially associated with aviation: aircraft cabins are pressurized so that passengers and crew can breathe safely and comfortably at high altitudes, where the surrounding air pressure is much lower. It is also used in engineering for vessels, pipelines, and other systems that require controlled internal pressure. In less technical contexts, pressurize can mean to subject someone to strong psychological or social pressure, although this figurative use is relatively uncommon. The related noun is pressurization, and the standard inflected forms are pressurized and pressurizing. British English generally uses the spelling pressurise, while US English uses pressurize; the pronunciation is the same.
To increase or maintain the pressure in a confined space, especially by introducing air or another gas under pressure.
"The cabin is pressurized to protect passengers during the flight."
Common in technical, aviation, and engineering contexts. The spelling pressurise is standard in British English.
To subject someone to psychological or social pressure.
"The team was pressured to meet the deadline, but the organization was not pressured to compromise its standards."
Figurative and comparatively uncommon; it is more emphatic than 'pressured' in some contexts.
Pressurizing an aircraft cabin is what makes high-altitude flight feel ordinary, even though the outside air is far too thin for comfortable breathing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pressurize come from?
The word comes from pressure, a noun derived from the Latin pressura, meaning 'a pressing' or 'pressure.' The verb-forming suffix -ize was added in the 20th century, producing pressurize, and later the related noun pressurization. The word entered general English through technical language associated with aviation and engineering, before gaining a figurative sense of applying pressure to people.
Related word forms
How pressurize is actually used
In its technical sense, pressurize is formal and commonly used in aviation, engineering, and science. The figurative sense is less common and often sounds more emphatic than simply 'pressure'.
Easily confused with pressurize
Pressure is the force applied per unit area, while pressurize is the verb describing the act of increasing or controlling that pressure.
Pressurise is the British spelling of pressurize; both forms have the same meaning and pronunciation.