compress
[ verb kuhm-pres; noun kom-pres ]
/ verb kəmˈprɛs; noun ˈkɒm prɛs /
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verb (used with object)
to press together; force into less space.
to cause to become a solid mass: to compress cotton into bales.
to condense, shorten, or abbreviate: The book was compressed by 50 pages.
Computers. to reduce the storage space required for (data) by changing its format: The algorithm should compress the video file without losing any quality.
noun
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Origin of compress
synonym study for compress
1. See contract.
OTHER WORDS FROM compress
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use compress in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for compress
compress
verb (kəmˈprɛs)
(tr) to squeeze together or compact into less space; condense
computing to apply a compression program to (electronic data) so that it takes up less space
noun (ˈkɒmprɛs)
a wet or dry cloth or gauze pad with or without medication, applied firmly to some part of the body to relieve discomfort, reduce fever, drain a wound, etc
a machine for packing material, esp cotton, under pressure
Derived forms of compress
compressible, adjectivecompressibleness, nouncompressibly, adverbWord Origin for compress
C14: from Late Latin compressāre, from Latin comprimere, from premere to press
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for compress
compress
[ kŏm′prĕs′ ]
n.
A soft pad of gauze or other material applied with pressure to a part of the body to control hemorrhage or to supply heat, cold, moisture, or medication to alleviate pain or reduce infection.
v.
To press or squeeze together.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.