Meaning & use
compress
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To press or squeeze something so that it takes up less space.
Grammar: Takes an object: you compress something, such as a gas or a material.
Patterns
- compress something
- compress something into something
- compress something together
The machine compresses the air before it enters the tank.
She compressed the clay into a small ball.
The snow was compressed into hard ice under the skis.
verbtransitivecomputing
To make a computer file smaller so it uses less storage space.
Grammar: Takes an object; often used with 'file', 'image', or 'data'.
Patterns
- compress a file
- compress data
- compress an image
You should compress the photos before emailing them.
This software compresses large videos without losing quality.
The backup program compresses all your documents automatically.
Word forms
| third person singular | compresses |
|---|---|
| past tense | compressed |
| past participle | compressed |
| -ing form | compressing |
Common combinations
- compress a file
- Please compress the file before you upload it.
- compress data
- The app compresses data to save space on your phone.
- compress into
- The cotton was compressed into tight bales.
- highly compressed
- The highly compressed gas is stored in strong steel cylinders.
Synonyms and how they differ
- squeeze
- Squeeze means to press something firmly from opposite sides, often with your hands; compress is more general and can be done by a machine.
- condense
- Condense often means to make a text or substance shorter or denser, while compress focuses on reducing physical space.
- pack
- Pack means to fill a container tightly; compress emphasizes the reduction in size of the thing itself.
Opposites
Word family
- compression noun
- The act of pressing something into a smaller space, or the process of reducing file size.
- compressed adjective
- Made smaller by pressing or by computer processing.
- compressor noun
- A machine that compresses air or gas.
Commonly confused: compress or compress?
compress vs compress
As a noun, 'compress' (pronounced /ˈkɒmpres/) means a pad pressed on a wound; the verb is pronounced /kəmˈpres/.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Compress' takes a direct object and can be followed by 'to' to show the result: 'compresses the file to half its size.' The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compress”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.