compact
1 of 4adjective
com·pact kəm-ˈpakt 
käm-ˈpakt,
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: predominantly formed or filled : composed, made
Miss Austen's novels are compact of delicate trivialities …
Samuel Alexander
Samuel Alexander2
a
: having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined
a compact woolen
compact bone
b
: not diffuse or verbose
a compact statement
c
: occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space
a compact camera
a compact formation of troops
d
: short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh
He had a small, compact body that looked full of life. D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence3
: being a topological space and especially a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it
compactly
kəm-ˈpak(t)-lē
adverb käm-ˈpak(t)-
ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-
compactness
kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs
noun käm-ˈpak(t)-
ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)-
compact
2 of 4verb
compacted; compacting; compacts
transitive verb
1
: to make up by connecting or combining : compose
2
a
: to knit or draw together : combine
b
: to press together : compress
intransitive verb
: to become compacted
compactible
kəm-ˈpak-tə-bəl
adjective käm-ˈpak-
ˈkäm-ˌpak-
compactor noun
or less commonly compacter
kəm-ˈpak-tər
käm-ˈpak-,
ˈkäm-ˌpak-
compact
3 of 4noun (1)
com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt
: something that is compact or compacted:
a
: a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)
b
: an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact
compact
4 of 4noun (2)
com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt
: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties
Synonyms
Adjective
- firm
- hard
- rigid
- solid
- stiff
- unyielding
Verb
- center
- centralize
- concenter
- concentrate
- consolidate
- polarize
- unify
- unite
Noun (2)
- accord
- alliance
- convention
- covenant
- pact
- treaty
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective The drill has a compact design. the apartment's compact floor plan The cabin was compact but perfectly adequate. He is compact and muscular. He has a compact body. Verb The snow had compacted into a hard icy layer. the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Verb
Middle English, firmly put together, from Latin compactus, from past participle of compingere to put together, from com- + pangere to fasten — more at pact
Noun (2)
Latin compactum, from neuter of compactus, past participle of compacisci to make an agreement, from com- + pacisci to contract — more at pact
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
1601, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1591, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing compact
Kids Definition
compact 1 of 4
adjective
com·pact kəm-ˈpakt
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: closely united or packed
compact dirt
2
: arranged so as to save space
a compact house
compact
2 of 4verb
compacted; compacting
1
: to draw together : combine
2
: to press together tightly
The machine compacts the trash.
compact
3 of 4noun
com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: a small case for cosmetics
2
: a somewhat small automobile
compact
4 of 4noun
com·pact ˈkäm-ˌpakt
: agreement sense 3
Medical Definition
compact
adjective
com·pact kəm-ˈpakt käm-ˈ
käm-ˈ ˈkäm-ˌ
: having a dense structure without small cavities or cells
compact bone
compare cancellous compacts 1 of 2
noun
1
as in treaties
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples a five-nation compact to control drug traffic Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- treaties
- pacts
- conventions
- accords
- alliances
- covenants
- contracts
- settlements
- deals
- ententes
- understandings
- bargains
- charters
- concords
- bonds
- entente cordiales
- projets
2
as in agreements
an arrangement about action to be taken the two made a compact never to artificially prolong the other's life in the event of incapacitating illness or injury Synonyms & Similar Words
- agreements
- pacts
- conventions
- contracts
- settlements
- promises
- understandings
- treaties
- covenants
- deals
- bargains
- accords
- pledges
- associations
- binders
- partnerships
- dispositions
- charters
- alliances
- ententes
- approvals
- acceptances
- assents
- leagues
- consents
- concurrences
- entente cordiales
- okays
- OKs
compacts
2 of 2verb
1
as in consolidates
to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site Synonyms & Similar Words
- consolidates
- concentrates
- merges
- centers
- integrates
- unites
- unifies
- concenters
- combines
- centralizes
- blends
- polarizes
- coordinates
- reduces
- harmonizes
- incorporates
- fuses
- links
- coalesces
- joins
- orchestrates
- colligates
- collects
- reunites
- assembles
- reunifies
- conjoins
- gathers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decentralizes
- spreads (out)
- deconcentrates
- separates
- segregates
2
as in compresses
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together compact the snow into a tight ball for throwing Synonyms & Similar Words
- compresses
- contracts
- packs
- condenses
- capsules
- squeezes
- telescopes
- consolidates
- collapses
- constringes
- constricts
- narrows (down)
- simplifies
- capsulizes
- crams
- jam-packs
- abridges
- jams
- boils down
- decreases
- crowds
- shrinks
- downsizes
- abbreviates
- shortens
- curtails
- streamlines
- diminishes
- concentrates
- lessens
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expands
- opens
- decompresses
- dilates
- outstretches
- disperses
- scatters
- outspreads
- dissipates
- swells
- inflates
- distends