compressibility

noun

com·​press·​ibil·​i·​ty kəm-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce compressibility (audio)
: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
That limits warmth and compressibility, since actual feathers are less compressible and less insulating than down fluffs are. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024 This fluid’s compressibility, viscosity and transparency are all programmable. Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 June 2024 Carbon can also tune the compressibility within the object by changing the density of the lattice in different areas. Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 16 Mar. 2022 The key to this technology lies in the compressibility of air. Kate Murphy, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Sep. 2021 High-denier yarns (50 to 90) sacrifice compressibility for durability. Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 18 June 2021 It’s filled with 850-fill down insulation, which provides optimal warmth, comfort, compressibility, and packability, and the 10D recycled shell is both lightweight and durable. Saryn Chorney, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2023 Fill power is a way of measuring the warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility of the goose down. Matt Jancer, Wired, 30 Mar. 2022 Other physics terms that underlie neural networks include: compressibility or conductivity. Cindy Gordon, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compressibility was in 1691

Dictionary Entries Near compressibility

Cite this Entry

“Compressibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compressibility. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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