First Known Use: circa 1578
Dictionary
1compartment
noun com·part·ment \kəm-ˈpärt-mənt\
: an enclosed space or area that is usually part of something larger and is often used to hold a specific thing
: one of the separate areas of an automobile, train, or airplane
Full Definition of COMPARTMENT
1
: a separate division or section
2
: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
— com·part·men·tal \kəm-ˌpärt-ˈmen-təl, ˌkäm-\ adjective
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Origin of COMPARTMENT
Middle French compartiment, from Italian compartimento, from compartire to mark out in parts, from Late Latin compartiri to share out, from Latin com- + partiri to share, from part-, pars part, share
Rhymes with COMPARTMENT
2compartment
verb com·part·ment \-ˌment, -mənt\
Definition of COMPARTMENT
transitive verb
First Known Use of COMPARTMENT
1918
Related to COMPARTMENT
- Synonyms
- assort, break down, categorize, class, codify, classify, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, distribute, grade, group, peg, place, range, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type
Rhymes with COMPARTMENT
accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, circumvent, complement, compliment, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, orient, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement
COMPARTMENTS Defined for Kids
compartment
noun com·part·ment \kəm-ˈpärt-mənt\
Definition of COMPARTMENT for Kids
1
: a small chamber, receptacle, or container <The suitcase has compartments for personal items.>
2
: one of the separate areas of a train, airplane, or automobile
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