Phrase guide

pressure point

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A point, spot where pressure is applied

A specific small area of the body sensitive to and suitable for therapeutic pressure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: therapy

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A point, spot where pressure is applied

A specific small area of the body targeted, due to a cluster of nerves being close to the skin, usually not protected by bone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war

Examples

  • For this strike, if your thumb is tucked correctly, you should hit the pressure point where their arm meets their shoulder.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A point, spot where pressure is applied

A situation that, when addressed, can cause a change to occur.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

an area on the skin that is highly sensitive to pressure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • you must know the pressure points in order to administer shiatsu

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: area, region

5

noun

Meaning 5

where problems or difficulties are likely to occur

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a key pressure point in the controversy was the building permit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: trouble, problem

6

noun

Meaning 6

any of several points on the body where the pulse can be felt and where pressure on an underlying artery will control bleeding from that artery at a more distal point

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: point

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 穴位 (xuéwèi) — specific small area of the body
  • Chinese Mandarin: 腧穴 (shùxué) — specific small area of the body
  • Dutch: drukpunt — specific small area of the body
  • Finnish: hermopiste — specific small area of the body
  • French: point de pression — specific small area of the body
  • French: point d'acupression — specific small area of the body
  • German: Druckpunkt — specific small area of the body
  • Japanese: 点穴 (tenketsu) — specific small area of the body
  • Japanese: 急所 (kyūsho) — specific small area of the body
  • Japanese: 穴位 (ketsui) — specific small area of the body
  • Polish: punkt nacisku — specific small area of the body
  • Russian: жи́зненно ва́жная то́чка (žíznenno vážnaja tóčka) — specific small area of the body
  • Swedish: tryckpunkt — specific small area of the body