compressed

The word “compressed” means pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space. In plain terms, squeezed into a smaller size or flattened shape.

“Compressed” is pronounced kuhm-PREHST (/kəmˈpɹɛst/ in IPA).

Here is “compressed” used in a sentence: “The compressed air hissed as it escaped the tank.”

“Compressed” is an adjective.

“Compressed” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Compressed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space.

Compressed describes something pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space, such as a compressed file or compressed gas, while condensed usually implies reducing something in volume or length while keeping its essential content, as in a condensed version of a book. Compression is more physical or mechanical, while condensing often applies to information or text.

A compressed file is one that has been reduced in size using software that squeezes its data into a smaller space, making it easier to store or transfer, and it must typically be decompressed before use. This is one of the most common everyday uses of compressed.

Compressed generally means pressed tightly into a smaller overall space, while flattened specifically means pressed down along its length or height, becoming thinner or level rather than simply smaller. Something can be compressed without necessarily being flattened, and vice versa.