compact

1 of 4

adjective

com·pact kəm-ˈpakt

käm-ˈpakt,

ˈkäm-ˌpakt

Synonyms of compact next

: predominantly formed or filled : composed, made

Miss Austen's novels are compact of delicate trivialities …—

Samuel Alexander

: having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined

a compact woolen

compact bone

: not diffuse or verbose

a compact statement

: occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space

a compact camera

a compact formation of troops

: short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh

He had a small, compact body that looked full of life.—

D. H. Lawrence

: 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

käm-ˈpak(t)-

ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-

adverb

compactness

kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs

käm-ˈpak(t)-

ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-

noun

compact

2 of 4

verb

compacted; compacting; compacts

transitive verb

: to make up by connecting or combining : compose

: to knit or draw together : combine

: to press together : compress

intransitive verb

: to become compacted

compactible

kəm-ˈpak-tə-bəl

käm-ˈpak-

ˈkäm-ˌpak-

adjective

compactor noun

or less commonly compacter

kəm-ˈpak-tər

käm-ˈpak-,

ˈkäm-ˌpak-

compact

3 of 4

noun (1)

com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt

: something that is compact or compacted:

: a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)

: an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact

compact

4 of 4

noun (2)

com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt

: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties

Example Sentences

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Clocking in at just over 4 pounds, the Dagger is both light and compact, ensuring backpackers have ample space and leftover weight for other gear and provisions. —

Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2023 Igloo 28-Quart Thermoelectric Hot/Cold Cooler Pros Spacious but compact Cooling and heating function provides excellent usability Cons Lacks an AC power cord; plugs into 12-volt car outlet only For most of us, this 28-quart cooler from Igloo nailed the sweet spot. —

Katherine Keeler, Car and Driver, 27 May 2023 There is also a compact media center here for placing a television set. —

Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 16 May 2023 Taking the mound again in 2021, France’s delivery was much more compact and quick as part of his mechanical changes, which included eliminating his long leg kick. —

James Mueller, Chron, 10 May 2023 The Prime is also the most compact of the full-size binos here, and the lens-cover design is better than most. —

Dave Hurteau, Field & Stream, 10 May 2023 The compact cylindrical charger can wirelessly juice up a MagSafe iPhone at 7.5W while holding it at a convenient angle and also charging a pair of AirPods. —

Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 8 May 2023 The compact, foldable device is the perfect purse companion for keeping cool while running errands or traveling. —

Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2023 The best part is that Tide Power Pods Laundry Detergent Pacs with Febreze Sport comes in a compact, convenient package that's perfect for on-the-go use. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023

Verb

When not in use, the bag compacts nicely and weighs less than 1 pound. —

Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2023 Also, delta sediments are notorious for compacting under their own weight over time. —

Sid Perkins, Scientific American, 1 May 2020 Pine soil conditioner is another great product that will keep the soil from compacting. —

Chris Mckeown, The Enquirer, 6 May 2023 The soil under your lawn is saturated and walking on it will compact it. —

Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Apr. 2023 Your own weight can compact soil, so work from the sidewalk or pathway as much as possible rather than walking on soil. Get a soil test. —

Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2023 Punnery is largely the trick of compacting two or more ideas within a single word or expression. —

Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023 Some of the worst harm comes when heavy weights compact the soil, squeezing out all the spaces where air and water could flow through it. —

Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 5 Mar. 2022 Clay soil is easily compacted. —

Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2023

Noun

The sixth would have been in northeast Alabama and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians under a compact with the state. —

John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 16 May 2023 Two South Dakota tribal casinos near the Minnesota border also offer sports betting under tribal compacts with the state. —

Tom Peterson, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023 Stewart amps up her cheekbone glow even more with this gorgeous compact. —

Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 19 Feb. 2023 The powder compact has been used on the likes of Lily James, Lizzo, Jessica Chastain, and Hayek throughout awards season. —

Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 8 Feb. 2023 All states ratified the compact except for Arizona. —

Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2022 Another cap-and-trade compact, the Western Climate Initiative, between California and Quebec, has also been successful in lowering power plant emissions. —

David Abel, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Managers in the three lower basin states are now gearing up to thrash out a new compact by 2026. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2022 But Pritzker has resisted signing on to a multistate compact that requires a steadily increasing share of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks on the road. —

Michael Hawthorne, chicagotribune.com, 20 Jan. 2022 See More

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compact. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

compact

1 of 4 adjective

com·pact kəm-ˈpakt

ˈkäm-ˌpakt

: closely united or packed : solid, firm

: arranged so as to save space

a compact house

: not wordy : brief

compactly adverb

compactness

kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs

ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-

noun

compact

2 of 4 verb

: to draw together : combine, consolidate

: to make or become compact : compress

compactor noun

also compacter

kəm-ˈpak-tər

ˈkäm-ˌpak-

compact

3 of 4 noun

com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt

: a small cosmetic case

: a somewhat small automobile

compact

4 of 4 noun

com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt

: agreement sense 2a, contract

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"