compaction

noun

com·​pac·​tion kəm-ˈpak-shən 

käm-

: the act or process of compacting : the state of being compacted

Synonyms of compaction

• compression
• squeezing
• condensing
• condensation
• contraction

Examples of compaction in a Sentence

the compaction of a complex topic into a short article means that a lot of niceties are going to get crushed

Recent Examples on the Web

Chanard said the aquifer reached a tipping point in 2021, when the compaction abruptly transitioned to irreversible. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Repeatedly tilling clay worsens soil compaction, so only do this the first year. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 July 2026

Similarly, during construction, heavy machinery causes soil compaction, temporary dust and noise pollution, which can further disorient wildlife, by changing local ecosystems and altering conditions for plants, ground-dwelling species and insects. — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

The factors that wear down a pipe’s structural integrity include soil compaction and water table variables, Soibelman said. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for compaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction