compressed

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pressed kəm-ˈprest 

also ˈkäm-ˌprest

1

: pressed together : reduced in size or volume (as by pressure)

2

: flattened as though subjected to compression:

a

: flattened laterally

petioles compressed

b

: narrow from side to side and deep in a dorsoventral direction

compressedly

kəm-ˈprest-lē  -ˈpre-səd-lē 

adverb

compressed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of compress entry 1

Examples of compressed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The couple had purchased their extra-wide, 3,600-square-foot house after realizing their initial dream, a historic brownstone, felt a little too compressed. — Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026

Digging into the character was all the more challenging for both Pitt and Ayer given the compressed pre-production schedule and swift shoot, which required them to hit the ground running. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026

Meantime, semiconductor stocks and most of the mega-cap tech platforms were convalescing as AI-overspending fears eroded investor conviction and compressed valuations. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Minimalist fiction is characterized by direct, highly compressed, densely allusive language. — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing compressed

• compressed air

Rhymes for compressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed