noun
compartment
kuhm-PAHT-muhnt
noun
1
A separate section or space within a larger structure, especially a vehicle.
"They stored their luggage in the overhead compartment."
"The train had six compartments, each seating eight passengers."
verb
1
To divide something into separate sections.
"The old desk was compartmented into small drawers for pens and papers."
How to Use Compartment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA distinct section within something bigger, like a train car or a storage box.
Common pairings
storage compartment
glove compartment
separate compartments
Word Forms
compartmented past tense, compartments plural, compartments singular
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They stored their luggage in the overhead _____.
Etymology
From Middle French compartiment, from Italian compartimento, from Late Latin compartiri ("to divide up with, to share"), from com- + partiri ("to divide").