compact

1 of 4

adjective

com·​pact kəm-ˈpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
käm-ˈpakt,
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: predominantly formed or filled : composed, made
Miss Austen's novels are compact of delicate trivialities …Samuel Alexander
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
3
: 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
compactly
kəm-ˈpak(t)-lē How to pronounce compact (audio)
käm-ˈpak(t)-
ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-
adverb
compactness
kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs How to pronounce compact (audio)
käm-ˈpak(t)-
ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-
noun

compact

2 of 4

verb

compacted; compacting; compacts

transitive verb

1
: to make up by connecting or combining : compose
2
a
: to knit or draw together : combine
b
: to press together : compress
compactible
kəm-ˈpak-tə-bəl How to pronounce compact (audio)
käm-ˈpak-
ˈkäm-ˌpak-
adjective
compactor noun
or less commonly compacter
kəm-ˈpak-tər How to pronounce compact (audio)
käm-ˈpak-,
ˈkäm-ˌpak-

compact

3 of 4

noun (1)

com·​pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
: 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

compact

4 of 4

noun (2)

com·​pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
: 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
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
This compact pogo jumper features a soft foam bottom that won’t harm floors and a stretchy handle that enables kids of different heights to use it easily. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 This compact makeup is the perfect addition to your beauty routine for a smooth finish. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Rivian surprised investors with other news, as well, unexpectedly unveiling another model—the smaller, cheaper R3 compact SUV—to be produced after the R2. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 But the pieces are compact, tight, engaging, and, indeed, in many ways song-like. Steve Hochman, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024 Click here to access the printable version of today’s CNN 10 transcript CNN 10 serves a growing audience interested in compact on-demand news broadcasts ideal for explanation seekers on the go or in the classroom. CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 That includes compact pickups, a long-dormant market segment Ford revived in 2021 with the Maverick pickup. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Second, even where a device does have a headphone socket, the GO link offers a significant sonic upgrade to produce audiophile sound in a compact form factor. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Step 4: Fold the tablecloth in thirds lengthwise to form a compact square. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
Rage is one of many emotions that have compacted inside me like coal. Chloe Bottero, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 If the tree is not taken down, compacting the ground for the sidewalk and adding drainage could damage its roots, city spokeswoman Tabitha Warren wrote in an email to The Charlotte Observer. Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 Nearby groundwater pumping has caused soils to compact. Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The department said that the dumpster had compacted the garbage four times when the woman was stuck inside. NEW HAMPSHIRE WEDDING SHOOTER GETS 40 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON The observant driver glanced at the camera that was located inside the truck, and noticed the woman desperately calling for help. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2024 Fire officials in Manchester told Fox affiliate WFXT that a garbage truck driver had noticed the woman, who has not been identified, through a camera in the truck after the garbage had already been compacted four times and called 911 for help to get the woman out. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024 Precision Wiring The wiring pattern in the cerebellum is precisely organized and compacted to concentrate three-quarters of the brain’s neurons into a 4-inch lobe. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2024 His tasks are fairly simple: watering, picking up litter, breaking up the soil so that it’s not compacted, laying down compost and planting small flowers in the pits. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023 Transfer the mixture into the pan and press firmly to compact it evenly. Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
Snow that has been sitting on the ground for a while compacts, and when calculating snow density, Svoma is looking for a number around 25%. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024 Dutcher essentially makes a compact with his players. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 To put it simply, Korean beauty has changed the standards of skin care around the globe: Double-cleansing, essences, cushion compacts, lip tints, and the newer multi balms all originated in Korea, where the latest additions to multistep skin-care routines continue to inspire innovation worldwide. Sarah Han, Allure, 26 Feb. 2024 Congress has yet to approve new long-term agreements with the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, with a third compact with Palau set to expire in September. Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2024 Swirl your brush in the compact to pick up the perfect blend of color for a multi-dimensional glow. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 Including a cult makeup compact, a luxurious towel and a handy packing list for Frieze L.A. Wsj. Magazine Staff, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2024 The formation of regional compacts to raise minimum wages presents a novel and dubious approach to labor economics. Patrick M. Brenner, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024 In exchange, the tribe agreed to pay the state at least $2 billion over the first five years of the agreement, known as a compact. Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, firmly put together, from Latin compactus, from past participle of compingere to put together, from com- + pangere to fasten — more at pact

Noun (2)

Latin compactum, from neuter of compactus, past participle of compacisci to make an agreement, from com- + pacisci to contract — more at pact

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compact was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near compact

Cite this Entry

“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compact. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compact

1 of 4 adjective
com·​pact kəm-ˈpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: closely united or packed : solid, firm
2
: arranged so as to save space
a compact house
3
: not wordy : brief
compactly adverb
compactness
kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs How to pronounce compact (audio)
ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-
noun

compact

2 of 4 verb
1
: to draw together : combine, consolidate
2
: to make or become compact : compress
compactor noun
also compacter
kəm-ˈpak-tər How to pronounce compact (audio)
ˈkäm-ˌpak-

compact

3 of 4 noun
com·​pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
1
: a small cosmetic case
2
: a somewhat small automobile

compact

4 of 4 noun
com·​pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce compact (audio)
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

compact

adjective
com·​pact kəm-ˈpakt How to pronounce compact (audio) käm-ˈ How to pronounce compact (audio)
ˈkäm-ˌ
: having a dense structure without small cavities or cells
compact bone
compare cancellous

More from Merriam-Webster on compact

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