compaction

American  

[kuhm-pak-shuhn, kom-] / kəmˈpæk ʃən, kɒm- /

noun

1. the act of compacting or the state of being compacted.

2. Geology. the consolidation of sediments resulting from the weight of overlying deposits.

---

compaction Scientific  

/ kəm-păk′shən /

1. The process by which the porosity of a given form of sediment is decreased as a result of its mineral grains being squeezed together by the weight of overlying sediment or by mechanical means.

---

Etymology

Origin of compaction

1350–1400; Middle English compaccioun < Latin compāctiōn- (stem of compāctiō ) a joining, frame, equivalent to compāct ( us ) compact ¹ + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Compaction is what happens when something is crushed or compressed. In many places, garbage undergoes compaction after it's collected, so that it takes up less space. The process of making something more compact, or dense and very tightly packed together, is compaction. Geologists (scientists who study rocks and earth) might talk about the natural process of compaction, when sand or silt becomes denser and denser over time, as heavy material presses down on it. Computer scientists might instead think of data compaction, when data is simplified by removing information that's unnecessary or redundant.

Example Sentences

This compaction brings enhancers and promoters closer together, allowing them to stick together to form microcompartments.

From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2025

For one, construction activities like excavation and soil compaction from heavy machinery can damage a tree’s critical root zone, preventing uptake of water and nutrients crucial for the plant’s survival.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2025

Frequent harvesting activities — such as done on palm oil plantations — and the removal of ground vegetation leads to further soil compaction, causing rain to run off the surface instead of entering groundwater reservoirs.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2024

Cover crops can protect against erosion and soil compaction.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2023

Third, as much as possible, avoid walking where the vines will ultimately reach to avoid compaction.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve