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

Because that earth contained the tiny fragments of textiles, straw, leather, and even bone—the remains of the wrappings, compartments, and chest that held the treasure. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026

Another practical feature is its adjustable main compartment opening, which can be positioned anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees. — New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026

But in the 25 years since Lancet, Segrè, and their colleagues published the original lipid-world hypothesis, scientists have questioned whether the first compartments had to be made of lipids at all. — Perri Thaler, Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026

The former should still squeeze in most overhead compartments, while the latter is better off checked. — Tim Stevens, The Verge, 10 Nov. 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