Compressed
/kəmˈprest/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo reduce the size or volume of something by applying force or pressure.
/kəmˈprest/
To reduce in size or volume by pressing or squeezing.
The machine compressed the data to save space.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're packing for a trip and squish all your clothes into the suitcase. That's compressing! You're making things take up less room.
👶 For kids: To squeeze something to make it smaller.
More Examples
He compressed the report into a concise summary.
The air inside the cylinder is compressed during the engine cycle.
How It's Used
"The engineer compressed the spring to store energy."
"The computer compressed the file to save space on the hard drive."
Having been reduced in size or volume by pressure or force.
/kəmˈprest/
Reduced in size or volume by pressure.
The compressed gas was stored in a heavy tank.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that's been squished or squashed to make it take up less space, like when you fold your blanket tightly. That blanket is in a compressed state!
👶 For kids: Something that has been squeezed to make it smaller.
More Examples
The compressed file took up less storage space.
She used compressed charcoal for her drawing.
How It's Used
"The compressed air was used to power the pneumatic tools."
"The compressed image files were much smaller and easier to share."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
compressed air
Air that has been squeezed into a smaller volume, increasing its pressure.
"Compressed air is used to power various tools."
compressed data
Data that has been reduced in size to save storage space or bandwidth.
"The software uses compressed data to store large files."
From Latin *compressus*, past participle of *comprimere* ('to press together'), from *com-* ('together') + *premere* ('to press').
The term 'compressed' has been used since the 17th century, initially referring to the physical action of pressing or squeezing, later extending to the reduction of data size in the 20th century with the advent of computers.
Memory tip
Think of squeezing a sponge to make it smaller. Compression is all about making things take up less space.
Word Origin
"to press together"