compartment

[kuhm-pahrt-muhnt]

See more synonyms for compartment on Thesaurus.com

noun

a part or space marked or partitioned off.
a separate room, section, etc.: a baggage compartment.
U.S. Railroads. a private bedroom with toilet facilities.

a separate aspect, function, or the like: the compartments of the human mind.
Architecture. a distinct major division of a design.
Heraldry. a decorative base, as a grassy mound, on which the supporters of an escutcheon stand or rest.

verb (used with object)

to divide into compartments.

Origin of compartment

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

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. division, section.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for compartment

Contemporary Examples

The EFPs were hidden in a compartment under an unassuming-looking house.
How the NSA Became a Killing Machine
Shane Harris
November 9, 2014
Ogorzow had to remember where it was at the Hirschgarten station and keep an eye out on the doors on that side of the compartment.
A Serial Killer on the Loose in Nazi Berlin
Scott Andrew Selby
January 11, 2014
After this attack, Ogorzow left his weapon behind on the train, hiding it in the compartment.
A Serial Killer on the Loose in Nazi Berlin
Scott Andrew Selby
January 11, 2014
Ogorzow turned his back on Bendorf and opened the compartment door.
A Serial Killer on the Loose in Nazi Berlin
Scott Andrew Selby
January 11, 2014
The other women may have attempted to squeeze through the small window into the driver's compartment, but it was too late.
Still No Explanation for Horrific Limo Fire
Christine Pelisek
May 6, 2013

Historical Examples

A jolly tanner observes: "I'll get a compartment to oursels."
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes
My sharing his compartment had evidently produced an unpleasant impression.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
The brother had the compartment next to that woman, with the big dog.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
The Ring Master now passed, raised his hat and entered his compartment.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
Then Ossipon came back, saying: “I told him not to let anybody get into our compartment.”
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for compartment

compartment

noun

one of the sections into which an area, esp an enclosed space, is divided or partitioned
any separate part or sectiona compartment of the mind
a small storage space; locker

Derived Formscompartmental (ˌkɒmpɑːtˈmɛntəl), adjectivecompartmentally, adverb

Word Origin

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compartment

n.

1560s, from Middle French compartiment "part partitioned off" (16c.), through Italian compartimento, from Late Latin compartiri "to divide," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + partis, genitive of pars "part" (see part (n.)).

compartment

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}compartment

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for compartment

Contemporary Examples

The EFPs were hidden in a compartment under an unassuming-looking house.

Ogorzow had to remember where it was at the Hirschgarten station and keep an eye out on the doors on that side of the compartment.

After this attack, Ogorzow left his weapon behind on the train, hiding it in the compartment.

Ogorzow turned his back on Bendorf and opened the compartment door.

The other women may have attempted to squeeze through the small window into the driver's compartment, but it was too late.

Historical Examples

A jolly tanner observes: "I'll get a compartment to oursels."

My sharing his compartment had evidently produced an unpleasant impression.

The brother had the compartment next to that woman, with the big dog.

The Ring Master now passed, raised his hat and entered his compartment.

Then Ossipon came back, saying: “I told him not to let anybody get into our compartment.”

compartment

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for compartment

n.

Origin of compartment