compression

noun

com·​pres·​sion kəm-ˈpre-shən 

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

kəm-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of compression

• squeezing
• condensing
• contraction
• condensation
• squeeze
• contracting
• constriction

Examples of compression in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Mills said chest compressions kept oxygen flowing to his brain, preventing neurological damage, while the defibrillator’s shock restored his heart rhythm. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025

Better still, 81% of that torque is available from just 2,500 rpm, thanks to lighter internals and a higher compression ratio. —New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025

Use Compression Packing Cubes There’s rarely a time when compression packing cubes don’t come in handy. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2025

Its video engine supports too many compression and frame rate options to list here, but its top-end includes full-width oversampled 4K60 with 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling and HEVC encoding, and up to 7K60 in 12-bit Raw. —PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for compression

• accession
• aggression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression
• possession

Kids Definition

compression

noun

com·​pres·​sion kəm-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: the act, process, or result of compressing : the state of being compressed

2

: the process of compressing the fuel mixture in the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine

compressional

-(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

compression

noun

com·​pres·​sion kəm-ˈpresh-ən 

: the act, process, or result of compressing especially when involving a compressing force on a bodily part

compression of an artery by forceps

compression of the brain by the bones of a depressed fracture