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.

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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

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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

Twenty Thai crew members returned home in mid-March, while three of their colleagues were missing and presumed trapped in the damaged engine compartment.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

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

The robots have four wheels and a bigger internal compartment for carrying food and goods .

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

But the graying signal caller still had something left in the glove compartment, and if you think I typed that while speaking in a stentorian John Facenda voice, I absolutely did.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

Ella plucked a vial of coconut oil and a tub of gel from another compartment.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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