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

There’s an expandable main compartment, organizational pockets, a laptop sleeve, luggage handles and UA Storm technology with coated zippers for weather protection. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 11 Dec. 2025

Accommodations include six-person couchette compartments that can be booked privately and ones for solo female travelers at no extra cost. —Monisha Rajesh, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025

Measuring 16 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 19 inches tall, this option fits in most airplane overhead compartments and holds at least four days' worth of clothing. —Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025

And it's augmented by a lower compartment where users can store additional gear. —New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025

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