Word
compartment
Phoneticscom·part·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpɑɹtmənt/
UK/kəmpˈɑːtmənt/
Definitions
01section of a vehicle or container
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a separate part of a larger space, often used for storage or for passengers in a vehicle.
n. 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.”
02subdivided area
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. one of the parts that a larger area is divided into.
n. 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.”
03biological section
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. a specific area in the body or a cell that is separated from other parts by a thin layer.
n. 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.”
04to divide into sections
C2 · Proficiency Formal
v. to divide or arrange something into separate sections.
v. 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.
Real-World Examples
“The container consists of compartments that the bird has to open in different ways to get to the treat inside: an almond.” “But that is why it is essential that devices are kept in the cabin, not in overhead compartments, and definitely not in the hold.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/compartment