compress

[ verb kuhm-pres; noun kom-pres ]

verb (used with object)

1. to press together; force into less space.

   Synonyms: constrict, squeeze, condense

   Antonyms: lay, expand

2. to cause to become a solid mass:

   to compress cotton into bales.

3. to condense, shorten, or abbreviate:

   The book was compressed by 50 pages.

4. 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

1. Medicine/Medical. a soft, cloth pad held in place by a bandage and used to provide pressure or to supply moisture, cold, heat, or medication.
2. an apparatus for compressing cotton bales.
3. a warehouse for storing cotton bales before shipment.

compress

verb

1. tr to squeeze together or compact into less space; condense
2. computing to apply a compression program to (electronic data) so that it takes up less space

noun

1. 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
2. a machine for packing material, esp cotton, under pressure

Derived Forms

• comˈpressible, adjective
• comˈpressibly, adverb
• comˈpressibleness, noun

Other Words From

• com·pressi·ble adjective
• com·pressi·bly adverb
• com·pressing·ly adverb
• noncom·pressi·ble adjective
• over·com·press verb (used with object)
• precom·press verb (used with object)
• uncom·pressi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compress¹

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English (< Middle French compresser ) < Late Latin compressāre, frequentative of Latin comprimere to squeeze together ( com-, press ¹ ); (noun) < Middle French compresse, noun derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of compress¹

C14: from Late Latin compressāre, from Latin comprimere, from premere to press

Synonym Study

See contract.

Example Sentences

Called Endeavour, its machine can compress fabric dyeing, drying, and fixing into a dramatically shorter and water-saving process.

From BBC

The filmmakers were able to compress months of work into a few weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

For this project, companies will need to capture, compress and transport CO2 underground — a process that requires a lot of energy and potentially could lead to more emissions.

From Los Angeles Times

Lamis Abusalim has severe scoliosis that, if left untreated, could compress her lungs and eventually kill her.

From BBC

The filmmakers were able to compress months of work into a few weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abbreviate
• constrict
• cram
• restrict
• shorten
• shrink
• squeeze
• wrap