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
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 Girlfriend Collective’s Compressive High-Rise Pocket Leggings have an ultra-high-rise waist with compression material all around to smooth you out from top to bottom.
—
Korin Miller, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
Or perhaps the team will set you up in some lymphatic-drainage compression boots.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The highly technical piece of footwear offers a collaboration between Nike and Hyperice to feature heat and air compression for feet and ankles in the form of a high-top boot.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
If there is no breathing, or just gasping, start chest compressions right away.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compression
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Korin Miller, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
Or perhaps the team will set you up in some lymphatic-drainage compression boots.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The highly technical piece of footwear offers a collaboration between Nike and Hyperice to feature heat and air compression for feet and ankles in the form of a high-top boot.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
If there is no breathing, or just gasping, start chest compressions right away.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compression
Cite this Entry
“Compression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compression. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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