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If you have ever been confused about the term negative pressure, you are not alone. One reason the concept is so confusing is that negative pressure is not really negative at all. It is actually positive pressure, but it is negative in relation to atmospheric pressure. Let me explain. Early in my career (while working for an Ashcroft distributor) I had a difficult time with the term ‘negative pressure’. The only thing that I knew about pressure was filling up a balloon, a ball or a tire. How could pressure be negative? It didn’t make sense! I asked anyone and everyone to explain but never received a satisfactory answer. Today, as a Territory Sales Manager for Ashcroft, a recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation - and 16 years of experience under my belt - I now have a clear understanding of negative pressure, and I am in a position to share my insight. In this article, you will not only learn how to answer the question, "What is Negative Pressure?", you will also understand how it relates to other types of pressure. At the end of the article, you will also see links to additional resources that may be beneficial to you.