compression
noun
com·pres·sion
kəm-ˈpre-shən
1
a
: the act, process, or result of compressing
b
: the state of being compressed
2
: the process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
3
: the compressed remains of a fossil plant
4
: conversion (as of data, a data file, or a communications signal) in order to reduce the space occupied or bandwidth required
Cite this Entry
“Compression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compression. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.
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