Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Flattened by pressure, especially from opposite sides: Made thinner or smaller in one dimension by being squeezed or pressed.
   • Reduced in volume by pressure: Made to occupy less space, often by applying force.
   • Pressed tightly together: Forced into close contact, leaving no gaps.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The machine produced a compressed block of recycled paper.
  • Divers breathe compressed air from tanks.
  • She sat with compressed lips, refusing to speak.

Advanced Usage

• In computing: Data that has been processed to reduce its file size for storage or transmission.
  • The software saves files in a compressed format to save disk space.
• In botany: Describing plant structures flattened lengthwise.
  • The botanist noted the plant's compressed stem.

Variants and Related Words

• Compress (verb): To press or squeeze something so that it occupies less space or becomes more dense.
  • You need to compress the soil before laying the foundation.
• Compressible (adjective): Capable of being compressed.
  • Air is a highly compressible gas.
• Compression (noun): The action of compressing or the state of being compressed.
  • The compression of the spring stores energy.

Synonyms

• Condensed: Made denser or more concise.
• Compacted: Pressed together firmly and solidly.
• Squeezed: Pressed firmly from multiple sides.

Antonyms

• Expanded: Increased in size or volume.
• Decompressed: Relieved of pressure; returned to original volume.
• Loosened: Made less tight or compact.

Related Phrases

• Compressed gas: A gas stored under high pressure in a container.
  • Welding often requires tanks of compressed gas.
• Compressed file: A computer file whose contents have been encoded to use less storage space.
  • Please send the documents as a compressed file.

Adjective

1. flattened laterally along the whole length (e.g., certain leafstalks or flatfishes)
2. reduced in volume by pressure
   • compressed air
3. pressed tightly together
   • with lips compressed