# pressing

/ˈpɹɛsɪŋ/ (US) · /pɹˈɛsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pressing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. urgent

adjective · CEFR B2

needing attention immediately because it is very important.

For teachers: requiring immediate attention or action; urgent and critical in nature.

- The company has more pressing problems to deal with than the color of the office walls.
- The most pressing issue facing the council is the immediate shortage of affordable housing for the city's growing population.

### 2. insistent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

demanding something in a strong or persistent way.

For teachers: characterized by persistent or earnest entreaty; insistent in manner.

- Despite his pressing invitations, she decided to stay home and rest.
- The diplomat's pressing demands for a ceasefire were met with silence from the opposing delegation.

### 3. a record or batch of records

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a physical music record, or a group of records made at the same time.

For teachers: a phonograph record, or the total number of copies produced in a single production run.

- This rare first pressing of the album is worth thousands of dollars.
- Collectors often distinguish between the original UK pressing and the later American releases due to subtle differences in sound quality.

### 4. applying pressure

noun · CEFR B2

the act of using a machine or iron to flatten something or squeeze out juice.

For teachers: the act of applying pressure, especially to extract juice from fruit or to remove wrinkles from fabric.

- The first pressing of the olives produces the highest quality oil.
- After the final pressing of the suit, the tailor hung it carefully to ensure the creases remained sharp for the wedding.

## Examples

- The most pressing issue right now is the lack of water.
- The committee decided to postpone the minor items to focus on the more pressing matter of the budget deficit.
- Climate change represents the most pressing challenge of the twenty-first century, requiring a level of international cooperation that transcends traditional geopolitical boundaries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.