compartment

1 of 2

noun

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-mənt How to pronounce compartment (audio)
1
: a separate division or section
2
: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
compartmental adjective

compartment

2 of 2

verb

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-ˌment How to pronounce compartment (audio)
-mənt
compartmented; compartmenting; compartments

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 main compartment is structured like a mini suitcase, able to fit up to 10 outfits, one shopper said. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023 This travel tote has a unique bottom compartment to separate items like toiletries or shoes. Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2023 Consumers of affected ranges should immediately stop use of the gas oven compartment and contact the manufacturer for a free inspection, replacement range or refund, the CPSC said. Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023 Each of the levels is broken up into two separate compartments, making eight drawers total. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 Propellant leaks and fires in the booster's engine compartment eventually severed connection with the rocket's primary flight computer, and the vehicle lost control a little more than two minutes into the flight. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023 Instead of throwing them all into one large pouch, this toiletry bag has multiple compartments, zippers, elastic, and slots for full-size bottles. Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023 An American Airlines flight attendant places a carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023 The 20-pound tank tucks away nicely in the bottom compartment, which is covered in a hammered silver finish. Andrew Waite, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
Verb
In the place where sport bikes keep their engines, the Navi has a lockable storage compartment large enough to cram in shoes, books or laptops (but not a full-face helmet). Dan Neil, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 One flew into the drivers compartment through an open window and struck him in the face, temporarily stunning him. NBC News, 9 June 2021 First came the bone spurs in his ankle and then compartment syndrome (painful pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues) in his calves, both requiring surgery. Glenn Graham, baltimoresun.com, 27 Oct. 2020 Kushner has not yet been approved to review ‘‘sensitive compartmented information,’’ better known as SCI. BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2018 Kushner has not been approved to review ‘‘sensitive compartmented information,’’ known as SCI. Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2018 Sharing highly compartmented, classified information with Russians is a theatrical distraction from the greater good of polluting streams, enabling predatory financial practices, cutting taxes, and taking people’s health care away. Brian Beutler, New Republic, 16 May 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compartment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

circa 1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compartment was circa 1578

Dictionary Entries Near compartment

Cite this Entry

“Compartment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compartment. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on compartment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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