incompressible

[in-kuhm-pres-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not capable of being compressed.

incompressible

/ ˌɪnkəmˈprɛsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being compressed or condensed

Other Word Forms

• incompressibility noun
• incompressibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incompressible¹

First recorded in 1720–30; in- ³ + compressible ( def. )

Example Sentences

Another important result involved the Navier-Stokes equations, which describe the dynamics of incompressible fluids.

From New York Times

As the science fiction author Ted Chiang writes, "experience is algorithmically incompressible."

From Salon

Most hydraulic tools utilize incompressible fluid, or fluid at maximum density, in order to create the necessary pressure for separating large portions of a vehicle.

From Fox News

In the early years of the 20th century, several British scientists advanced technical, mathematical accounts of lift that treated air as a perfect fluid, meaning that it was incompressible and had zero viscosity.

From Scientific American

P waves percuss the rock like a drumstick, traveling quickly through incompressible material.

From Science Magazine