compartmentalize

[ kuhm-pahrt-men-tl-ahyz, kom-pahrt- ]

verb (used with object)

, com·part·men·tal·ized, com·part·men·tal·iz·ing.

1. to divide into separate and isolated categories, sections, areas, or compartments: compartment:

   Instead of compartmentalizing tasks, employees can be trained broadly.

2. Psychology. to mentally separate or set aside (one’s incompatible or negative emotions, beliefs, or behaviors): Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

   Ripley, a serial killer, has the capacity to compartmentalize his thoughts, push his conscience conveniently aside, in order to live with himself.

   Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

compartmentalize

/ ˌkɒmpɑːtˈmɛntəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. usually tr to put or divide into (compartments, categories, etc), esp to an excessive degree

Derived Forms

• ˌcompartˌmentaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• com·part·men·tal·i·za·tion [k, uh, m-pahrt-men-tl-ahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n, kom-pahrt-], noun
• de·com·part·men·tal·ize verb (used with object) decompartmentalized decompartmentalizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of compartmentalize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; compartmental + -ize

Example Sentences

It was wonderful to be seen that way and have my skill set and my hyphenates acknowledged and not having to compartmentalize because he sees me as a creator, much like he’s a creator.

From Los Angeles Times

Afraid she wouldn't recover, he wasn't able to compartmentalize to do his job well.

From Salon

“I compartmentalize the way the city looked at one time,” he says, which, when he moved here in the 1950s, was like “some kind of antique village.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Now having a family and compartmentalizing that and how that affects you on the court and off the court … all these intangibles that you don’t really think of, he’s been with me through that journey.”

From Los Angeles Times

So McVay and Rams executives will attempt to compartmentalize anxiety and relax before players report to Loyola Marymount for training camp on July 23.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break up
• cut off
• insulate