compressor

[ kuhm-pres-er ]

/ kəmˈprɛs ər /

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noun

a person or thing that compresses.

Anatomy. a muscle that compresses some part of the body.

Surgery. an instrument for compressing a part of the body.

a pump or other machine for reducing volume and increasing pressure of gases in order to condense the gases, drive pneumatically powered machinery, etc.

Electronics. a transducer that produces an output with a range of voltages whose ratio is smaller than that of the range of the input signal.Compare expander (def. 2).

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Origin of compressor

First recorded in 1745–55; compress + -or²

Words nearby compressor

compression-ignition engine, compression molding, compression ratio, compression wave, compressive, compressor, comprimario, comprise, comprised, comprize, compromis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use compressor in a sentence

Some people are sensitive sleepers and will easily awake when their air conditioner cycles between on and off as the compressor adjusts to maintain the room temperature setting.
Best portable air conditioner: Cool off where you need it most|Eric Alt|December 17, 2020|Popular-Science
Proprietary artificial-intelligence software that runs the compressor “learns” how much support is best for your level of skiing.
A Brief Excursion into Skiing's Cyborg Future|Nick Heil|December 16, 2020|Outside Online
You can optimize your images and make them weigh less by using an image compressor such as ImageOptim.
The Google page experience: What you need to know and five steps to prepare for 2021|Gert Svaiko|December 1, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Powered by its onboard air compressors, ARB’s air lockers are invisible to a vehicle’s stock systems and can be switched on or off at any speed with the simple press of a button.
Inside My Custom Toyota Land Cruiser Build|Wes Siler|October 15, 2020|Outside Online

The guts of a turbofan engine are complex, but major components include the low-pressure turbine, the high-pressure turbine, the core, and the compressor.
The world’s biggest jet engine, explained|Rob Verger|October 14, 2020|Popular-Science
So we got a compressor and we would literally pump air into each of the four cameras so we could blow water off the lenses.
‘Noah’ is a Global Warming Epic About the Battle Between Religion and Science, Says Cinematographer|Marlow Stern|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each box in the cabinet is equipped with a spring compressor which holds the contents in place.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various
This motor operates a two-stage air compressor in conjunction with a storage tank.
The Gasoline Motor|Harold Whiting Slauson
There is a two-stage steam air compressor, compressing air to from 90 to 100 ℔ per sq. in.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various
At what speed should the compressor be run to obtain the best results?
The Traveling Engineers' Association|Anonymous
The compressor will not start promptly after the pin valve seats.
The Traveling Engineers' Association|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for compressor

compressor

/ (kəmˈprɛsə) /

noun

any reciprocating or rotating device that compresses a gas

the part of a gas turbine that compresses the air before it enters the combustion chambers

any muscle that causes compression of any part or structure

a medical instrument for holding down a part of the body

an electronic device for reducing the variation in signal amplitude in a transmission systemCompare expander, compander

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