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

As air flows over cold evaporator coils in the unit, the moisture condenses into water droplets that are collected in a compartment to be emptied or drained later. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

Oprah Winfrey’s favorite toiletry bag, which has spacious compartments to pack all your travel essentials. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

The water at the three-compartment sink didn’t get hot enough to be considered safe. —Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Slightly larger than other bags on this list, this crossbody remains lightweight and packable with a spacious primary compartment and an adjustable strap made partially of chain. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 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