compressed; compressing; compresses
1
: to press or squeeze together
2
: to reduce in size, quantity, or volume as if by squeezing
compress a computer file
: to undergo compression
com·press
ˈkäm-ˌpres 
1
: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
2
: a machine for compressing
Synonyms
Examples of compress in a Sentence
Verb
compress the air in a closed chamber
Her lips compressed into a frown.
a material that compresses easily
This type of file compresses easily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cara Buckley, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Manufacturers compress dry medication into solid pills that are available in several shapes.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
By normal standards, the training of Ukraine’s pilots on the sophisticated Western jets has proceeded at lightning speed, compressing years of classroom learning, simulations and flight exercises into months.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024
The higher frequency pulses are generated by compressing the swim bladder from the left and right in an alternating pattern.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024
During the day, electricity from the local grid, some produced by nearby fields of solar cells, is used to compress the carbon dioxide into liquid.
—Amos Zeeberg, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Not so for Kawasaki, who stunned everyone with a 130,000 rpm impeller that compresses incoming air at 2.4 times over atmospheric pressure.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The square neckline of this sports bra alongside its thick straps feel comfortable and supportive without ever digging into my skin (which is key for long flights or car rides), while the polyamide and elastane material gently compresses and remains soft and gentle.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2024
That can compress the joint, causing pain or swelling, Dr. Malizia says.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 14 Feb. 2024
Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2023
Other at-home remedies include cold compresses, hemorrhoid creams and applying caffeine directly to the skin.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Applying a warm compress to the eye is a natural remedy for dry eyes.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 21 Mar. 2024
Pain-Relief Features: Some postpartum underwear contain special pockets to hold ice packs or warm compresses that can help minimize pain along an incision or around the perineum or lower back area.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Most Popular As for putting cold therapy into practice, Dr. Preston recommends resting with your eyes closed with some type of cold compress on your head for 30 minutes or so.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 11 Mar. 2024
Hot or cold compresses can also help, as can medications developed specifically for acute treatment of migraine attacks.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024
In addition to medications for pain and infection, wound care consisted of daily warm compresses and laser therapy in the shelter’s trauma hospital.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
This creates a bright streak in the sky due to the phenomenon called bow shock, where the debris compresses and heats the atmosphere in front of it, making both the debris and air glow.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
In another video, a young seal was fully encased in the leg of torn disposable overalls that had compressed its neck, and forced its mouth permanently open.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Manufacturers compress dry medication into solid pills that are available in several shapes.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
By normal standards, the training of Ukraine’s pilots on the sophisticated Western jets has proceeded at lightning speed, compressing years of classroom learning, simulations and flight exercises into months.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024
The higher frequency pulses are generated by compressing the swim bladder from the left and right in an alternating pattern.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024
During the day, electricity from the local grid, some produced by nearby fields of solar cells, is used to compress the carbon dioxide into liquid.
—Amos Zeeberg, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Not so for Kawasaki, who stunned everyone with a 130,000 rpm impeller that compresses incoming air at 2.4 times over atmospheric pressure.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The square neckline of this sports bra alongside its thick straps feel comfortable and supportive without ever digging into my skin (which is key for long flights or car rides), while the polyamide and elastane material gently compresses and remains soft and gentle.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2024
That can compress the joint, causing pain or swelling, Dr. Malizia says.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 14 Feb. 2024
Noun
Apply warm or cool compresses to ease swelling, pain, and stiffness.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2023
Other at-home remedies include cold compresses, hemorrhoid creams and applying caffeine directly to the skin.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Applying a warm compress to the eye is a natural remedy for dry eyes.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 21 Mar. 2024
Pain-Relief Features: Some postpartum underwear contain special pockets to hold ice packs or warm compresses that can help minimize pain along an incision or around the perineum or lower back area.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Most Popular As for putting cold therapy into practice, Dr. Preston recommends resting with your eyes closed with some type of cold compress on your head for 30 minutes or so.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 11 Mar. 2024
Hot or cold compresses can also help, as can medications developed specifically for acute treatment of migraine attacks.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024
In addition to medications for pain and infection, wound care consisted of daily warm compresses and laser therapy in the shelter’s trauma hospital.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
This creates a bright streak in the sky due to the phenomenon called bow shock, where the debris compresses and heats the atmosphere in front of it, making both the debris and air glow.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compress
Cite this Entry
“Compress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compress. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compress
1 of 2 verb
com·press
kəm-ˈpres
1
: to press or become pressed together
2
: to reduce the size, amount, or volume of by or as if by pressure
compressibility
noun
-ˌpres-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
compressible
adjective
-ˈpres-ə-bəl
compress
2 of 2 noun
com·press
ˈkäm-ˌpres
1
: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
a cold compress
2
: a machine for compressing
Medical Definition
compress
1 of 2 transitive verb
com·press
kəm-ˈpres
1
: to press or squeeze together
a ligament in the wrist was compressing a nerve
2
: to reduce in size or volume as if by squeezing
compress air
compress
2 of 2 noun
com·press
ˈkäm-ˌpres
1
: a covering consisting usually of a folded cloth that is applied and held firmly by the aid of a bandage over a wound dressing to prevent oozing
2
: a folded wet or dry cloth applied firmly to a part (as to allay inflammation)
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