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

Balancing functionality with the brand’s house codes, the bag features two spacious compartments and a zippered one in the center. — Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Similarly, the expansive, expandable stern can transform from a beach club into a launch pad for toys and tenders, with movable furniture and integrated storage compartments. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026

One was on a quarternary dispenser over the three-compartment sink next to roach excrement. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

This bag couldn’t be more functional; It’s outfitted with a roomy main compartment plus five pockets to keep all of your essentials — from a laptop to a water bottle to a book — organized and secure. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 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