decompress

verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

decompressed; decompressing; decompresses

transitive verb

1

: to release from pressure or compression

2

: to convert (something, such as a compressed file or signal) to an expanded or original size

intransitive verb

: to undergo release from pressure

especially : relax

need a week off to decompress

decompression

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpre-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• chill
• chill out [slang]
• de-stress
• loosen up
• mellow (out)
• relax
• unwind
• wind down

Examples of decompress in a Sentence

Once pressure was released, the vertebrae decompressed.

The file must be decompressed before it can be read.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rescue center took them in, giving them time to decompress and connected the pups to foster families. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025

People now come in for all kinds of reasons: to decompress, to celebrate, or just to feel safe. —Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2025

World of Hyatt’s new Mazatlán resort has a dreamy destination spa, an almost endless beach, and serene rooms made for decompressing complete with real-life wave sounds. —Johanna Read, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

For now, the organization is giving Valerie some time to decompress from her epic adventure. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for decompress

• abs
• acquiesce
• ancestress
• authoress
• coalesce
• dispossess
• faithfulness
• letterpress
• mayoress
• murderess
• nonetheless
• overstress

Kids Definition

decompress

verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

1

: to release from pressure or compression

2

: to convert (as a computer file) from compressed form to an expanded or original size

decompression

-ˈpresh-ən 

noun

Medical Definition

decompress

transitive verb

de·​com·​press ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

: to release from pressure or compression