Tryk

Tryk is a Danish word meaning pressure or the act of pressing, and it is used in science, engineering, medicine, and everyday speech. It also appears in printing terminology. The related verb trykke means to press, and the noun form tryk can denote both physical pressure and the act of pressing.

In physics, tryk is defined as force per unit area. The SI unit is the pascal (Pa). Pressure can be absolute (total pressure), gauge (relative to atmospheric pressure), or vacuum. Common references include atmospheric pressure at sea level, about 101 kPa. Blood pressure (blodtryk) measures arterial pressure and is typically expressed as systolic over diastolic values (for example around 120/80 mmHg). Tire pressure (dæktryk) and hydraulic or pneumatic system pressures require regular monitoring with gauges. Instruments used to measure tryk include barometers for atmospheric pressure and manometers or pressure gauges for confined systems.

In printing and publishing, tryk denotes printing itself and the printed output. Bogtryk refers to book printing, and the term covers various methods of producing printed material, such as lithography or offset printing. The word also appears in figurative uses to describe social or psychological pressure, stress, or coercion, showing how the concept of tryk extends beyond physical contexts.

Overall, tryk encompasses both the physical concept of pressure and its broader, metaphorical and technical applications, from everyday tasks like checking tire pressure to specialized practices in engineering and publishing.