Meaning & use
barometric pressure
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
The force that the weight of the air in the atmosphere presses down with at a particular place, measured by a barometer.
Grammar: Uncountable: it names a single measurable quantity, so you say "the pressure fell" rather than "pressures fell."
Patterns
- the barometric pressure falls/rises
- a drop/rise in barometric pressure
- measure the barometric pressure
The barometric pressure dropped quickly, and by evening a storm had arrived.
Pilots check the barometric pressure before takeoff because it affects how their instruments read altitude.
A steady rise in barometric pressure usually means clearer, calmer weather is coming.
noununcountabletechnical
A reading of this force shown on a barometer, often quoted in weather forecasts.
Grammar: Often used with numbers or units: "a barometric pressure of 1,013 millibars."
Patterns
- a barometric pressure of + number
- the barometric pressure is + number
- record the barometric pressure
The forecast gave a barometric pressure of 1,013 millibars for the coast.
At the mountain station the barometric pressure was so low that water boiled below the usual temperature.
Common combinations
- barometric pressure falls
- When the barometric pressure falls suddenly, fishermen head back to shore.
- a drop in barometric pressure
- A sharp drop in barometric pressure can trigger headaches in some people.
- high barometric pressure
- High barometric pressure kept the skies clear all weekend.
- low barometric pressure
- Low barometric pressure over the ocean is feeding the storm.
- measure barometric pressure
- The device measures barometric pressure as well as temperature.
Synonyms and how they differ
- air pressure
- The everyday term for the same thing; use it in ordinary conversation, and keep "barometric pressure" for science or weather reports.
- atmospheric pressure
- A close technical equivalent, but it can refer to pressure at any level of the atmosphere, not only what a barometer reads at ground level.
Word family
- barometer noun
- The instrument used to measure barometric pressure.
- barometric adjective
- Relating to a barometer or to pressure measured by one.
Commonly confused: barometric pressure or barometric pressue?
barometric pressure vs barometric pressue
A common misspelling: the ending is "-sure," like "pressure," not "-sue." Remember that pressure is spelled with "ss."
Practice
Which sentence uses "barometric pressure" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Barometric pressure" is an uncountable noun for a measurable quantity, so it fits naturally with a number and unit, as in option 1. Option 0 wrongly makes it plural, option 2 treats it as a personal feeling, and option 3 invents a verb form that does not exist.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “barometric pressure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.