1
2
a
: having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined
a compact woolen
compact bone
b
: not diffuse or verbose
a compact statement
c
: occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space
a compact camera
a compact formation of troops
d
: short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh
He had a small, compact body that looked full of life.—
D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence3
: being a topological space and especially a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it
compacted; compacting; compacts
1
: to make up by connecting or combining : compose
: to become compacted
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt 
: something that is compact or compacted:
a
: a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)
b
: an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties
Examples of compact in a Sentence
Adjective
The drill has a compact design.
the apartment's compact floor plan
The cabin was compact but perfectly adequate.
He is compact and muscular.
He has a compact body.
Verb
The snow had compacted into a hard icy layer.
the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site
Noun (2)
a five-nation compact to control drug traffic
the two made a compact never to artificially prolong the other's life in the event of incapacitating illness or injury
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Toczylowski said the car had been towed, compacted and moved to a junk yard.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
While most of the universities provided feedback by the Monday deadline, none agreed to the compact.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compact
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Adjective
Threshold Chenille Throw Blanket Measuring 50 by 70 inches, the throw is large enough to drape across a sofa, bed, or an accent chair to add texture to a room while compact enough to fold up and take with you.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Lawns compacted from heavy foot traffic benefit from aeration every couple of years.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Toczylowski said the car had been towed, compacted and moved to a junk yard.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Keeping your packaging compact helps, too.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
While most of the universities provided feedback by the Monday deadline, none agreed to the compact.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compact
Cite this Entry
“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compact. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compact
2 of 4 verb1
: to draw together : combine, consolidate
2
: to make or become compact : compress
compact
3 of 4 noun
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: a small cosmetic case
2
: a somewhat small automobile
compact
4 of 4 noun
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English compact "firmly put together," from Latin compactus (same meaning), from compingere "to join," from com- "together" and pangere "to fasten"
Noun
from Latin compactum "agreement," derived from compacisci "to make an agreement," from com- "with, together" and pacisci "to agree"
Medical Definition
: having a dense structure without small cavities or cells
compact bone
compare cancellous
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