compartmentalize

[ kuhm-pahrt-men-tl-ahyz, kom-pahrt- ]

verb (used with object)

, com·part·men·tal·ized, com·part·men·tal·iz·ing.

1. to divide into separate and isolated categories, sections, areas, or compartments: compartment:

   Instead of compartmentalizing tasks, employees can be trained broadly.

2. Psychology. to mentally separate or set aside (one’s incompatible or negative emotions, beliefs, or behaviors): Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

   Ripley, a serial killer, has the capacity to compartmentalize his thoughts, push his conscience conveniently aside, in order to live with himself.

   Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

compartmentalize

/ ˌkɒmpɑːtˈmɛntəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. usually tr to put or divide into (compartments, categories, etc), esp to an excessive degree

Derived Forms

• ˌcompartˌmentaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• com·part·men·tal·i·za·tion [k, uh, m-pahrt-men-tl-ahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n, kom-pahrt-], noun
• de·com·part·men·tal·ize verb (used with object) decompartmentalized decompartmentalizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of compartmentalize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; compartmental + -ize

Example Sentences

That we would compartmentalize our concerns — about labor exploitation and serious injury and toxic behavior — so we could hold on to those smiles.

From Washington Post

Membrane-bounded organelles help to organize some of the contents, usefully compartmentalizing sets of materials and providing surfaces that enable important processes, such as the production of ATP, the biochemical fuel of cells.

From Quanta Magazine

In “Valhalla,” the story lines are compartmentalized, similar to what “Odyssey” did.

From Washington Post

There’s also the curious way it compartmentalizes the expression of genes within itself but leaves the construction of proteins outside.

From Quanta Magazine

Her Nurse Ratched is able to take these terrible traumas that happened to her, compartmentalize them and keep moving forward.

From Washington Blade

I feel less—or at least differently—divided, almost forced not to compartmentalize.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• break up
• cut off
• insulate