compression

American  

[kuhm-presh-uhn] / kəmˈprɛʃ ən /

Rarely compressure

noun

• compressions
  plural

1. the act of compressing.

   When performing CPR, give 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

2. the state of being compressed, or the effect, result, or consequence of being compressed.

   Compression of the nerves can lead to tingling and numbness farther down the arm.

3. (in internal-combustion engines) the reduction in volume and increase of pressure of the air or combustible mixture in the cylinder prior to ignition, produced by the motion of the piston toward the cylinder head after intake.

4. Also called data compression.  Computers. reduction of the storage space required for data by changing its format.

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adjective

1. Computers. relating to the process of reducing the storage space required for data by changing its format.

   Experiments show that this approach can effectively improve the compression ratio of existing codes.

2. being or relating to a type of medical garment that provides pressure and support, reduces swelling, promotes circulation, holds tissue in place, etc..

   Ask your doctor if compression stockings would help the swelling in your legs.

   After surgery, it may be necessary to wear a compression garment.

   Compression sleeves are an important part of lymphedema management.

compression British  

/ kəmˈprɛʃən /

noun

1. Also called: compressure.  the act of compressing or the condition of being compressed

2. an increase in pressure of the charge in an engine or compressor obtained by reducing its volume

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compression Scientific  

/ kəm-prĕsh′ən /

1. A force that tends to shorten or squeeze something, decreasing its volume.

2. The degree to which a substance has decreased in size (in volume, length, or some other dimension) after being or while being subject to stress.

3. See also strain

4. The re-encoding of data (usually the binary data used by computers) into a form that uses fewer bits of information than the original data. Compression is often used to speed the transmission of data such as text or visual images, or to minimize the memory resources needed to store such data.

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compression Cultural  

1. See data compression.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncompression
  noun
• overcompression
  noun
• precompression
  noun
• supercompression
  noun
• compressional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compressions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of compression

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin compressiōn-, stem of compressiō; equivalent to compress + -ion

Explanation

Whenever something is squished together, compression takes place, like a tight bandage around your sprained ankle — the compression helps protect it from further injury. Compression comes from the Latin word compressare, meaning “to press together.” Compression is an important part of how car engines function: fuel and air are compressed then ignited and that makes the power that turns the wheels. Compression can also happen to your day's schedule, such as when a snow storm causes school to start late, a schedule compression means that you have all your classes but they are shorter.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

compression compressions

It’s a great example of the more impressionistic lyrics on this record; they’re still telling the same kind of stories but with more compression, more editing, retaining what’s essential and rejecting anything extraneous.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

At Tower 208, a component known as a compression paddle was not securely bonded to the pylon, allowing debris to form and creating a dangerous air pocket, the filing said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

This time, though, Draper made it on to court, appearing initially nervous - but without the compression sleeve that supported him through recent appearances.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Among the most important contributors are heavy groundwater pumping, oil and gas extraction, the compression of relatively young sediments in river deltas, and the weight of expanding urban areas.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

The compression stockings were more comfortable than the bandages had been, and Sasha’s atrophied leg muscles had regained their strength.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

"When I started the chest compressions, it began moving its legs. The more it moved, the more I kept going," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

Responders tried to resuscitate her with chest compressions and transferred her to a hospital, according to the report.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

While a football coach nearby was calling 911, Murray began chest compressions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2025

Julia asks Anjalee for her worst memory and she describes how her father tried to save her mother's life by performing chest compressions in their home until the paramedics arrived.

From BBC ● May 17, 2025

Everyone prepares to take him from the water, wrap him in blankets, give him rescue breaths and chest compressions, all while they bring him to the ambulance.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen