adjective
Uncommon
compressed
kuhm-PREHST
Compressed (adjective) means Pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space. Example: “The compressed air hissed as it escaped the tank.”
adjective
1
Pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space.
"The compressed air hissed as it escaped the tank."
"Divers breathe compressed air from tanks strapped to their backs."
"The files were sent as a compressed folder to save space."
2
Flattened along its length.
"The gas remains compressed inside the cylinder."
"The insect had a distinctly compressed body shape."
"A flounder has a compressed body that lies flat on the seabed."
"The biologist described the leaf as compressed, with a narrow, flat stalk."
How to use compressed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSqueezed into a smaller size or flattened shape.
Common pairings
compressed air
compressed file
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more compressed
- Superlative
- most compressed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ air hissed as it escaped the tank.
Related words
Rhymes for compressed
blessed
dressed
pressed
assessed
stressed
obsessed
recessed
depressed
professed
repressed
possessed
oppressed
See all rhymes for compressed →
Frequently asked questions
What does “compressed” mean?
The word “compressed” means pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space. In plain terms, squeezed into a smaller size or flattened shape.
How do you pronounce “compressed”?
“Compressed” is pronounced kuhm-PREHST (/kəmˈpɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “compressed” in a sentence?
Here is “compressed” used in a sentence: “The compressed air hissed as it escaped the tank.”
What part of speech is “compressed”?
“Compressed” is an adjective.
Is “compressed” a common word?
“Compressed” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “compressed” have?
“Compressed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: pressed or squeezed tightly into a smaller space.
What is the difference between compressed and condensed?
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.
What does a compressed file mean in computing?
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.
What is the difference between compressed and flattened?
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.
