compressionnoun [ U ]
uk/kəmˈpreʃ.ən//kəmˈpreʃ.ən/compression noun [ U ] (PRESS ON)
the act of pressing something into a smaller space or putting pressure on it from different sides until it gets smaller:
Tectonic forces caused compression in the earth’s crust.
Compression fractures of the spine are common in older people.
nerve compression
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Squeezing and grinding
- compact
- compress
- concertina
- constrict
- crush
- depress
- firm
- grind
- grind sth into sth
- ground
- mill
- pack
- pound
- pulp
- pulverize
- scrunch
- shut
- shut sth in sth
- squeeze
- squinch
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Becoming and making smaller or less
compression noun [ U ] (MAKE SMALLER)
the act of making something smaller or shorter so that it will fit into a particular space or time
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming and making smaller or less
- a nip (here) and a tuck (there) idiom
- attenuate
- axe
- bite
- bite into sth
- dive
- drain
- let up
- lower
- make a hole in sth idiom
- miniaturization
- miniaturize
- minimize
- shrink
- slash
- strip sth away
- stripped down
- subside
- tail off
- take a tumble idiom
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compression noun [ U ] (COMPUTER)
the act of making a computer file use less space when it is stored, using special software:
Advances in compression technology mean that you can now send even quite large files by email.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Operating computers
- aliasing
- always-on
- black hat
- BMP
- caps lock (key)
- computerize
- cut
- dump
- enter
- fire
- format
- hacker
- key sth in
- keyboarder
- punch
- roll (sth) over sth
- scroll bar
- title bar
- touchscreen
- zip
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