compression

noun com·pres·sion \ kəm-ˈpre-shən \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of compression

1 a : the act, process, or result of compressing

b : the state of being compressed

2 : the process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)

3 : the compressed remains of a fossil plant

4 : conversion (as of data, a data file, or a communications signal) in order to reduce the space occupied or bandwidth required

—

compressional

play \kəm-ˈpresh-nəl, -ˈpre-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See compression defined for kids

Examples of compression in a Sentence

the compression of a long, complicated story into a two-hour movie is never easy

Recent Examples of compression from the Web

Same deal for your shorts and compression gear: Look for items that promote breathability.

— emily abbate, GQ, "Everything You Need to Know Before Deciding to Run a Marathon," 23 Apr. 2018
The store stocks thousands of items related to wellness and recovery — from leg compression stockings to post-mastectomy needs to wheelchairs.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Art in the alley: Murals liven up Lemon Grove businesses," 18 Apr. 2018
The same streaming video compression that turned YouTube into a juggernaut also robbed the adult industry of a huge chunk of revenue.

— peter rubin, WIRED, "Coming Attractions: The Rise of VR Porn," 17 Apr. 2018
In reality, the glitch is known as a compression artifact, a distortion that is common in video encoding.

— matthew haag, New York Times, "Sandy Hook Parents Sue Alex Jones for Defamation," 17 Apr. 2018
The Hamilton County coroner ruled the death as a case of accidental asphyxia due to chest compression, determining that determined that there had been no foul play.

— Fox News, "Boy, 16, dies after being crushed by minivan in school parking lot despite 2 calls to 911," 12 Apr. 2018
The effort is rapidly expanding, and more schools are now stocking classrooms with supplies that would be familiar to any military medic: lightweight tourniquets, gauze coated with blood-clotting drugs and compression bandages.

— Washington Post, "Teachers acquire a new skill: how to stop the bleeding," 9 Apr. 2018
Nissan will give the Altima all-wheel drive, a trick new variable compression engine, and ProPilot Assist for a vehicle that will likely cost between $25,000 and $35,000.

— zac estrada, The Verge, "Here’s what to expect at the 2018 New York Auto Show," 28 Mar. 2018
When feet tread on Pavegen's tiles, the compression of each step generates kinetic energy that gets turned into electricity.

— terry gardner, latimes.com, "How travelers to California's most popular landmarks could create electricity while they walk," 20 Mar. 2018

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