1
a
: smaller than other things of the same kind
The camera is compact.
The drill has a compact design.
a compact car
b
: using little space and having parts that are close together
the apartment's compact floor plan
The cabin was compact but perfectly adequate.
2
: closely or firmly packed or joined together
compact dirt
3
of a person or animal
: short but solid and strong
He is compact and muscular.
He has a compact body.
compacts; compacted; compacting
: to press (something) so that it is harder and fills less space
Tractors had compacted [=compressed] the soil.
The snow had compacted into a hard icy layer.
plural compacts
1
: a small flat case containing powder or makeup for a woman's face
2
US
: a small car
a new line of compacts [=compact cars]
plural compacts
formal
: an agreement between two or more people or groups
States created a compact to control milk prices.
Cite this Entry
“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/compact. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.
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