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

Parker and the other staff at the shelter make a special effort to give Juke this outside time to decompress and enjoy the world around him. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025

The Parker is made for those who want to decompress without dialing down the personality. —Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

After her performance, the singer was decompressing in one of the store’s luxe dressing rooms. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025

These waves are created when an object moves back and forth, compressing and decompressing air molecules. —Jiaxin Zhong, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 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