What does "compartment" mean?

1. (section of a vehicle or container) a separate part of a larger space, often used for storage or for passengers in a vehicle. 2. (subdivided area) one of the parts that a larger area is divided into. 3. (biological section) a specific area in the body or a cell that is separated from other parts by a thin layer. 4. (to divide into sections) to divide or arrange something into separate sections.

How do you use "compartment"?

This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

compartment

n. · v.

US //kəmˈpɑɹtmənt// UK //kəmpˈɑːtmənt// com·part·ment

1 section of a vehicle or container (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a separate part of a larger space, often used for storage or for passengers in a vehicle.

a separate section or chamber within a larger structure, typically a vehicle or a piece of luggage.

Example

He put his suitcase in the overhead compartment before finding his seat.

Example

The first-class carriage was divided into private compartments, each featuring mahogany panelling and plush velvet seating for six passengers.
- section
- chamber
- cubbyhole
2 subdivided area (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

one of the parts that a larger area is divided into.

one of the distinct parts into which a space or area is subdivided.

Example

The desk drawer has several small compartments for pens and paperclips.

Example

The architect designed the storage unit with adjustable compartments to accommodate various sizes of equipment.
- division
- partition

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3 biological section (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

a specific area in the body or a cell that is separated from other parts by a thin layer.

a region in an organism or cell delimited by a biological membrane, often containing specific enzymes or proteins.

Example

The medicine is designed to stay within a specific compartment of the body.

Example

Intracellular compartments allow the cell to perform different chemical reactions simultaneously without them interfering with one another.
- region
- zone
4 to divide into sections (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal

to divide or arrange something into separate sections.

to divide or partition a space or concept into separate sections or categories.

Example

The designer decided to compartment the large room to create a small office.

Example

The new filing system was intended to compartment the data more logically, though it initially caused confusion among the staff.

Usage

This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
- unify
- combine

Origin

First attested 1564, from Middle French compartiment, from Italian compartimento, from Late Latin compartiri (“to divide with, to share with”), from com- + partiri (“to apportion, to divide, to share”).