compressibility

noun

com·​press·​ibil·​i·​ty kəm-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: capability of compression : the ability of something (such as a fluid) to be reduced in volume or size under pressure

When that water expands, it turns into a gas. The gas forms bubbles and those bubbles dilute the compressibility of the brake fluid.

—Motocross Action Magazine

… a month later there was a sweatshirt stuffed into my mail box and I was overcome by its compressibility.

—David Mamet

Examples of compressibility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The puffer uses PrimaLoft ThermoPlume (a vegan-friendly down alternative designed for lightweight warmth and compressibility), and is water-resistant, too. —Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025

Fill power is a measure of down insulation’s compressibility. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025

Taking compressibility to the next level, this packing cube of sorts works similarly to a vacuum sealer. —Christina Liao, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

This fluid’s compressibility, viscosity and transparency are all programmable. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 June 2024

The key to this technology lies in the compressibility of air. —Kate Murphy, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for compressibility

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability