compartment

American  

[kuhm-pahrt-muhnt] / kəmˈpɑrt mənt /

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 British  

/ 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

• compartmental adjective
• compartmentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of compartment

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

Explanation

A compartment is a space within another space, like the glove compartment in a car. Compartments are spaces, but they're not spaces that stand on their own. Rather, compartments are part of other spaces: they're subdivisions. The trunk is a compartment of a car. A pocket is a compartment of a suitcase. Closets are like compartments of rooms. One of the most common compartments is a car's glove compartment, where people throw all kinds of things. Anything that is divided into smaller spaces has compartments. The ventricles are like compartments of your heart.

Example Sentences

The researchers describe this system as a "pseudo-organelle," a functional compartment that is not enclosed by a membrane but still plays a major role in organizing cell behavior.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

A one-way fare to North Korea cost roughly $150 to $215—the higher price granting passengers a softer bed and a door for their bunker compartment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The hypothesis is that the submarine suffered a valve failure that allowed water to enter the battery compartment, triggering a fire and then an explosion.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

I stood as far back as I could in the snug compartment and grimaced my way through it.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Under some road maps in the glove compartment, Ben retrieved a rusty can of cordovan polish and a thin silken handkerchief spotted with dried circles of polish.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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