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-ˈpresh-nəl 

-ˈpre-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• compacting
• compaction
• condensation
• condensing
• constricting
• constriction
• contracting
• contraction
• squeeze
• squeezing
• telescoping

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

The company is busy diving out of the way of changing advertiser behavior tied to tariffs and consumer spending, trying to duck emerging regulatory curveballs out of Europe and the US, and dodging margin compression by reigning in full year expenses. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 1 May 2025

Price compression has also lowered tax revenue despite slightly more consumers in the legal market today than two years ago. —Andrew Deangelo, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Baid, who represents the area where the gas station will go, took time to answer many of those concerns at the meeting, including saying that, if compression breaking becomes an issue, the city can install signs to prohibit it. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025

The Airlift legging is Alo’s highest compression pant. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 23 Apr. 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