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

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Etymology

Origin of compression

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

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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

He’s so obsessed with being the best that three broken arms suffered from falls, along with a compression back fracture, hardly deters him to think twice about flying through the air trying to perform tricks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2026

This suggests the effects of compression garments on recovery are physiological and aren’t simply due to expectation or perception.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

“Their osteoporosis has worsened, and they’ve ended up suffering compression fractures in their back as a result of the decreased density of their bones.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

Higher competition in the market is driving margin compression, lower pension buyout volumes and tighter credit spreads, causing Citi to take a “cautious stance”.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

My boxers were not suited for providing structural integrity while I was running around, and I wished I had thought to bring some compression shorts or something.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

The fallout was largely documented on the cat haven’s Facebook page with posts of veterinary and haven staff working together to administer heart compressions on the large black cat lying on the medical table.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

"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

He said he carried out chest compressions but there were "no signs of any breathing" and was concerned at how long it was taking for the defibrillator to arrive.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2025

Five compressions, another breath, a quick check to make sure the boat was headed in the right direction.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

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