Hydrostatic pressure is best described as:

Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. It is best described as the weight of the water that pushes against a submerged object from all sides. This principle is fundamental in understanding how pressure increases with depth in a fluid, as the weight of the water above increases the pressure exerted on any object submerged within it.

This concept is critical in various applications, such as diving, underwater construction, and even in the design of structures that interact with water. When an object is submerged, hydrostatic pressure acts uniformly in all directions, which is essential for understanding buoyancy and stability in aquatic environments. While the force of water that helps keep a body afloat is related, the specific definition of hydrostatic pressure primarily focuses on the weight of the water itself as opposed to the effect of buoyancy or temperature influences.