compartmentation

noun

com·​part·​men·​ta·​tion kəm-ˌpärt-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce compartmentation (audio)
-ˌmen-
: division into separate sections or units

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At Twin Parks North West, compartmentation broke down in at least three places on Jan. 9. New York Times, 8 July 2022 Second compartmentation failure By now, smoke had infiltrated the building’s two stairwells. New York Times, 8 July 2022 It should be handled with particular attention to compartmentation and need-to-know. Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compartmentation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compartmentation was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near compartmentation

Cite this Entry

“Compartmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compartmentation. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

compartmentation

noun
com·​part·​men·​ta·​tion kəm-ˌpärt-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen- How to pronounce compartmentation (audio)
: intracellular partitioning of cellular substances and metabolic activities by membranes
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