decompress

verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

decompressed; decompressing; decompresses

transitive verb

1

: to release from pressure or compression

2

: to convert (something, such as a compressed file or signal) to an expanded or original size

intransitive verb

: to undergo release from pressure

especially : relax

need a week off to decompress

decompression

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpre-shən 

noun

Synonyms of decompress

• relax

Examples of decompress in a Sentence

Once pressure was released, the vertebrae decompressed.

The file must be decompressed before it can be read.

Recent Examples on the Web

General manager Gina Kingsbury said the practice was closed to give the players 24 hours to decompress after hearing their Olympic debut would be delayed until Saturday. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Engineers train them to compress and decompress data so that the output matches the input as closely as possible. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2026

Sensory sensitive kids might need comfortable spaces to decompress or personal hygiene products that are entirely unscented. —Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026

The dining room has a lovely ambiance and is great for a date night or just meeting friends to decompress. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for decompress

• abs
• acquiesce
• ancestress
• authoress
• coalesce
• dispossess
• faithfulness
• letterpress
• mayoress
• murderess
• nonetheless
• overstress

Kids Definition

decompress

verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

1

: to release from pressure or compression

2

: to convert (as a computer file) from compressed form to an expanded or original size

decompression

-ˈpresh-ən 

noun

Medical Definition

decompress

transitive verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

: to release from pressure or compression