compression
noun
com·pres·sion
kəm-ˈpre-shən 
1
a
: the act, process, or result of compressing
b
: the state of being compressed
2
: the process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
3
: the compressed remains of a fossil plant
4
: conversion (as of data, a data file, or a communications signal) in order to reduce the space occupied or bandwidth required
Synonyms
Examples of compression in a Sentence
the compression of a long, complicated story into a two-hour movie is never easy
Recent Examples on the Web
An Ayurvedic doctor tailors programs toward individual guest needs by tapping into practices from Ayurveda, Tibetan medicine, Chinese acupuncture, and reflexology, combined with 20th-century treatments like compression boots and gold-leaf facials.
—
Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 31 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, clothes can take up a lot of unnecessary room: This is where compression packing cubes come in handy.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Another mid-stage clinical trial of about 200 patients with a type of nerve compression that causes sciatica also found suzetrigine significantly reduced pain.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Graduated compression stockings provide the strongest level of compression at the ankle and gradually decrease up the leg.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for compression 
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Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 31 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, clothes can take up a lot of unnecessary room: This is where compression packing cubes come in handy.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Another mid-stage clinical trial of about 200 patients with a type of nerve compression that causes sciatica also found suzetrigine significantly reduced pain.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Graduated compression stockings provide the strongest level of compression at the ankle and gradually decrease up the leg.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for compression
Dictionary Entries Near compression
Cite this Entry
“Compression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compression. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compression
noun
com·pres·sion
kəm-ˈpresh-ən
1
: the act, process, or result of compressing : the state of being compressed
2
: the process of compressing the fuel mixture in the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine
Medical Definition
compression
noun
com·pres·sion
kəm-ˈpresh-ən
: the act, process, or result of compressing especially when involving a compressing force on a bodily part
compression of an artery by forceps
compression of the brain by the bones of a depressed fracture
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