Meaning & use
air compressor
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
A machine that takes in air and squeezes it to increase its pressure, used to power tools or inflate things.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a' or 'an' and a plural form.
Patterns
- use an air compressor
- an air compressor for something
- powered by an air compressor
He used an air compressor to inflate the tires.
The workshop has a large air compressor that powers all the pneumatic tools.
Word forms
| plural | air compressors |
|---|
Common combinations
- electric air compressor
- The electric air compressor is quiet and easy to move.
- portable air compressor
- A portable air compressor is useful for roadside repairs.
- air compressor hose
- Connect the air compressor hose to the tool.
- air compressor tank
- The air compressor tank stores pressurized air.
Synonyms and how they differ
- compressor
- Compressor is the general term; air compressor specifies that the gas being compressed is air.
Word family
- compress verb
- To press something together or make it occupy less space.
- compression noun
- The act of pressing something together or reducing its volume.
- compressed adjective
- Pressed together or made smaller in volume.
Commonly confused: air compressor or air conditioner?
air compressor vs air conditioner
An air conditioner cools and dries the air in a room, while an air compressor increases air pressure for tools or inflation.
Practice
What is an air compressor used for?
Choose one answer.
An air compressor increases air pressure. Cooling the air is done by an air conditioner, filtering dust by an air purifier, and measuring air quality by a monitor.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “air compressor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.