# compartment

/kəmˈpɑɹtmənt/ (US) · /kəmpˈɑːtmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compartment
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. section of a vehicle or container

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- He put his suitcase in the overhead compartment before finding his seat.
- The first-class carriage was divided into private compartments, each featuring mahogany panelling and plush velvet seating for six passengers.

### 2. subdivided area

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The desk drawer has several small compartments for pens and paperclips.
- The architect designed the storage unit with adjustable compartments to accommodate various sizes of equipment.

### 3. biological section

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The medicine is designed to stay within a specific compartment of the body.
- Intracellular compartments allow the cell to perform different chemical reactions simultaneously without them interfering with one another.

### 4. to divide into sections

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to divide or arrange something into separate sections.

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

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

## Examples

- The overhead compartment is full of bags.
- I keep my passport in a hidden compartment inside my backpack for extra security while traveling.
- The engineer designed the aircraft with a reinforced cargo compartment to ensure that the structural integrity remained intact even under extreme pressure changes during the flight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.