decompression
Americannoun
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the gradual reduction in atmospheric pressure experienced by divers, construction workers, etc., after working in deep water or breathing compressed air.
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the act or process of releasing from pressure.
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Surgery. the procedure of relieving increased cranial, cardiac, or orbital pressure.
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a state of relief from pressure; a return to normalcy after a stressful period or situation.
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Computers. the restoration of data that has undergone compression to its original state.
Usage
What does decompression mean? Decompression is the process of decompressing—releasing or reducing pressure. This literal meaning of decompression can be used in several contexts. Divers who’ve spent time in deep water decompress by coming up slowly. Divers and other underwater workers sometimes decompress by using a decompression chamber. The goal of decompression is to return the body to normal atmospheric pressure in order to avoid decompression sickness. In a medical context, decompression is the process of releasing pressure in the body, such as from inside the skull, through surgery. Decompression can also be used in a figurative way meaning the act of relaxing or unwinding. This sense of the word likens stress to pressure within the body that needs to be released. Close synonyms of the verb decompress are destress and blow off steam. In all senses of the word, the process of decompressing is called decompression. Example: After a stressful day at work, my favorite form of decompression is a long bike ride.
Etymology
Origin of decompression
1900–05; probably < French décompression. See de-, compression
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s a decompression room where people can dip out of the main anchor to have a quiet meditative moment and recaliberate. It’s going to be all-natural treatments with a mycelia ceiling.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026
The third cluster usually presented with spinal deformities, which may require the standard decompression procedure and possible further spine surgeries.
From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024
Mr Tran said the decompression lasted around 10 or 20 seconds and he described looking around at other passengers who could not believe what was happening.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2024
Shortly after take off from Portland, OR, the plug exit on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet blew out – causing an uncontrolled decompression of the plane.
From Slate • Jan. 12, 2024
"Dr. Beck," Vogel said as he stumbled through the storm, "how long can a person survive decompression?"
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
