: raising or tending to raise blood pressure
also : involving vasoconstriction

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, one that presses, from Latin premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressor was circa 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressor. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: raising or tending to raise blood pressure
pressor substances
also : involving or producing an effect of vasoconstriction
pressor reflexes
a pressor action
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