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

The featherweight body is made from slash-resistant material, with locking compartments and zippered pockets that allow for quick and secure access to your daily essentials. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026

Plus, accessing the storage compartment doesn’t require you to move every piece of decor in the process. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026

Through witness statements, surveillance, and cellphone video, investigators determined that Canon forcefully grabbed the 17-year-old against her will and threw her in his SUV's rear cargo compartment. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 19 June 2026

The facility had broken and loose tiles and standing water in front of the three compartment ware wash sink. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado june 19, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

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