compartment

1 of 2

noun

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-mənt 

1

: a separate division or section

2

: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

compartmental

kəm-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tᵊl 

ˌkäm-

adjective

compartment

2 of 2

verb

com·​part·​ment kəm-ˈpärt-ˌment 

-mənt

compartmented; compartmenting; compartments

transitive verb

: compartmentalize

Synonyms

Noun

• bay
• cabin
• cell
• chamber
• cube
• cubicle

Verb

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• classify
• codify
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• peg
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

Examples of compartment in a Sentence

Noun

The suitcase has a zippered compartment for personal items.

The refrigerator has a separate compartment for meats.

Verb

compartment the responses according to country of origin

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If you’re blessed with a big closet, look for a larger option like this one with deeper pockets and different-size compartments to easily fit purses, winter hats, toiletries, almost anything. —Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024

Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar into the detergent compartment of the laundry load as necessary. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2024

Verb

In the place where sport bikes keep their engines, the Navi has a lockable storage compartment large enough to cram in shoes, books or laptops (but not a full-face helmet). —Dan Neil, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022

One flew into the drivers compartment through an open window and struck him in the face, temporarily stunning him. —NBC News, 9 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French compartiment, from Italian compartimento, from compartire to mark out in parts, from Late Latin compartiri to share out, from Latin com- + partiri to share, from part-, pars part, share

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compartment

• glove compartment

Kids Definition

compartment

noun

com·​part·​ment

kəm-ˈpärt-mənt

1

: a separate division or section

2

: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided