compartment

1 of 2

noun

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-mənt 

1

: a separate division or section

2

: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

compartmental

kəm-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tᵊl 

ˌkäm-

adjective

compartment

2 of 2

verb

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-ˌment  -mənt 

compartmented; compartmenting; compartments

transitive verb

: compartmentalize

Synonyms of compartment

Noun

• chamber
• cell
• cabin

Verb

• rank
• classify
• group
• place
• type
• relegate
• separate
• distinguish
• class
• grade
• sort
• compartmentalize

Examples of compartment in a Sentence

Noun

The suitcase has a zippered compartment for personal items.

The refrigerator has a separate compartment for meats.

Verb

compartment the responses according to country of origin

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With a spacious 45-liter capacity and thoughtful details like hideaway shoulder straps, interior compression straps, and a dedicated laptop compartment, it's got all the bells and whistles and can still fit in the overhead. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026

Just add ½ cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment during the rinse cycle. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 June 2026

Contributor Will Porter swears by this Amazon find for its expansive underbed compartment and slim frame. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026

When folded, the assembly, which included compartments for stationery and writing paraphernalia, could be used as a writing desk. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French compartiment, from Italian compartimento, from compartire to mark out in parts, from Late Latin compartiri to share out, from Latin com- + partiri to share, from part-, pars part, share

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compartment

• glove compartment

Rhymes for compartment

• apartment
• departement
• department

Kids Definition

compartment

noun

com·​part·​ment

kəm-ˈpärt-mənt

1

: a separate division or section

2

: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided