compartment

[kuhm-pahrt-muhnt]

noun

1. a part or space marked or partitioned off.

   Synonyms: section, division

2. a separate room, section, etc..

   a baggage compartment.

3. U.S. Railroads.,  a private bedroom with toilet facilities.

4. a separate aspect, function, or the like.

   the compartments of the human mind.

5. Architecture.,  a distinct major division of a design.

6. Heraldry.,  a decorative base, as a grassy mound, on which the supporters of an escutcheon stand or rest.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into compartments.

compartment

/ kəmˈpɑːtmənt, ˌkɒmpɑːtˈmɛntəl /

noun

1. one of the sections into which an area, esp an enclosed space, is divided or partitioned

2. any separate part or section

   a compartment of the mind

3. a small storage space; locker

Other Word Forms

• compartmentally adverb
• compartmental adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compartment¹

1555–65; < Middle French compartiment < Italian compartimento. See compart, -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of compartment¹

C16: from French compartiment, ultimately from Late Latin compartīrī to share, from Latin com- with + partīrī to apportion, from pars _part

Example Sentences

At the peak of the fire, 100 containers were alight in four different compartments of the ship, according to Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Adam VanGerpen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The center compartment makes it easy to hide a propane tank, and the sliding lid lets you open and close the tank before and after each entertaining session.

Read more on Salon

"However, when viewed in the context of changes in the T cell and stromal compartments, it underlines the importance of the bone marrow microenvironment in shaping disease progression."

Read more on Science Daily

Most of the nearby passengers had since moved to compartments well out of earshot.

Read more on Literature

All the divers and archaeologists, for example, got especially excited when a chest containing a secret compartment was brought up to the surface.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• alcove 
• carriage 
• cell 
• chamber 
• cubicle 
• locker 
• slot