compressor

[ kuhm-pres-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that compresses.
2. Anatomy. a muscle that compresses some part of the body.
3. Surgery. an instrument for compressing a part of the body.
4. a pump or other machine for reducing volume and increasing pressure of gases in order to condense the gases, drive pneumatically powered machinery, etc.
5. 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 ).

compressor

/ kəmˈprɛsə /

noun

1. any reciprocating or rotating device that compresses a gas
2. the part of a gas turbine that compresses the air before it enters the combustion chambers
3. any muscle that causes compression of any part or structure
4. a medical instrument for holding down a part of the body
5. an electronic device for reducing the variation in signal amplitude in a transmission system Compare expander compander

Word History and Origins

Origin of compressor¹

First recorded in 1745–55; compress + -or ²

Example Sentences

“One of the activities we got to do was make foam rocket ships and shoot them across the campsite with an air compressor. From sitting on the deck behind our cabin, having a family barbecue, to sharing stories around the campfire, our children have family stories that will last a lifetime.”

From Los Angeles Times

“One of the activities we got to do was make foam rocket ships and shoot them across the campsite with an air compressor. From sitting on the deck behind our cabin, having a family barbecue, to sharing stories around the campfire, our children have family stories that will last a lifetime.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Mugenyi knows there occasionally are also higher value items — a retired parks department lawnmower, say, or a worn-out compressor from Seattle Public Utilities — that the truck driver and self-taught mechanic can repair and ship off for resale in his native Uganda.

From Seattle Times

But for Chris specifically, I remember he had this Shellac 7-inch where the insert was like their recording setup, with a drawing of every microphone and every compressor.

From Los Angeles Times

When it’s cold outside, the process is reversed: Heat from the chilly outdoor air is extracted and delivered indoors with the help of refrigerants and a compressor.

From Seattle Times