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

compressional

kəm-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of compression

• squeezing
• condensing
• contraction
• condensation
• squeeze
• contracting
• constriction

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

The downbeat sentiment comes as fears have grown about margin compression, a dip in Broadcom’s AI order backlog, the stock’s lofty valuation and, more broadly, a potential bubble in the stock market that could tear apart the biggest leaders of the AI trade. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026

Chest compressions and other lifesaving measures followed in an attempt to resuscitate her. —Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

This set from Bagail includes multiple different sizes of compression packing cubes and even comes with a zippered shoe bag. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026

After years of market-cap compression and regulatory uncertainty, cannabis deal chatter has returned. —Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for compression

• accession
• aggression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression
• possession

Kids 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

compressional

-(ə-)nəl 

adjective

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