compress

1 of 2

verb

com·​press kəm-ˈpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
compressed; compressing; compresses

transitive verb

1
: to press or squeeze together
2
: to reduce in size, quantity, or volume as if by squeezing
compress a computer file

compress

2 of 2

noun

com·​press ˈkäm-ˌpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
1
: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
2
: a machine for compressing
Choose the Right Synonym for compress

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Examples of compress in a Sentence

Verb compress the air in a closed chamber Her lips compressed into a frown. a material that compresses easily This type of file compresses easily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Per standards, there should have been 12 inches of mulch filling the area below the slide with the potential of that mulch compressing to a minimum of 9 inches, the lawsuit says. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 What to Consider The weatherproof protection and security comes at the cost of a heavier design that doesn’t compress or pack down. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024 That led to a material change in growth and expectations, which necessarily compresses valuations. Ryan Hinkle, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2024 This moment of dark recognition compresses its psychological magnitude into a clear and taut set of actions and images. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 The previous event was compressed into six days, concluding on a Saturday to make way for the following Guadalajara tourney to have a Sunday start. Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 Down and synthetic down are fluffy clusters of fiber that can feel soft and comfortable, whereas memory foam is designed to compress with the weight of your head, but still return to its previous shape. Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 25 Feb. 2024 This movement is likely to compress cap rates, leading to an increase in property values and, by extension, investor returns. Danny Kattan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 What to Consider Larger-sized bags will take a while to fully compress. Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
In addition to medications for pain and infection, wound care consisted of daily warm compresses and laser therapy in the shelter’s trauma hospital. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 This creates a bright streak in the sky due to the phenomenon called bow shock, where the debris compresses and heats the atmosphere in front of it, making both the debris and air glow. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Streaming platforms also mean that some of the sound compresses. Isabelia Herrera, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2023 Lying down with a chilly, wet washcloth, cold compress, or ice pack over your forehead or eyes may provide temporary relief from a headache that's bothering you.6 4. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 Sedgwick may have gone a little too hard, though, as she was shown icing her wrist with a cold compress in a photo posted by her husband a day later. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Treatment for hypothermia includes raising the body temperature by using warm, dry compresses, electric blankets or hot water bottles, and offering the patient warm, sweet nonalcoholic drinks. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2024 The pulp semi-fiction compresses three years of Blanco’s exploits into an anti-hero-esque arc and transforms Vergara into Blanco through the heavy use of plastic prostheses and glitzy wardrobes. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2024 Drought is a vicious circle for farmers: As rainfall decreases, the soil compresses. Jack Thompson, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compress.' 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

Verb

Middle English, from Late Latin compressare to press hard, frequentative of Latin comprimere to compress, from com- + premere to press — more at press

Noun

Middle French compresse, from compresser to compress, from Late Latin compressare

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near compress

Cite this Entry

“Compress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compress. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compress

1 of 2 verb
com·​press kəm-ˈpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
1
: to press or become pressed together
2
: to reduce the size, amount, or volume of by or as if by pressure
compressibility
-ˌpres-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
compressible
-ˈpres-ə-bəl
adjective

compress

2 of 2 noun
com·​press ˈkäm-ˌpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
1
: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
a cold compress
2
: a machine for compressing

Medical Definition

compress

1 of 2 transitive verb
com·​press kəm-ˈpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
1
: to press or squeeze together
a ligament in the wrist was compressing a nerve
2
: to reduce in size or volume as if by squeezing
compress air

compress

2 of 2 noun
com·​press ˈkäm-ˌpres How to pronounce compress (audio)
1
: a covering consisting usually of a folded cloth that is applied and held firmly by the aid of a bandage over a wound dressing to prevent oozing
2
: a folded wet or dry cloth applied firmly to a part (as to allay inflammation)

More from Merriam-Webster on compress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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