compartment
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“He put his suitcase in the overhead compartment before finding his seat.”
In context“The first-class carriage was divided into private compartments, each featuring mahogany panelling and plush velvet seating for six passengers.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The desk drawer has several small compartments for pens and paperclips.”
In context“The architect designed the storage unit with adjustable compartments to accommodate various sizes of equipment.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The medicine is designed to stay within a specific compartment of the body.”
In context“Intracellular compartments allow the cell to perform different chemical reactions simultaneously without them interfering with one another.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to divide or arrange something into separate sections.
v.to divide or partition a space or concept into separate sections or categories.
Simple“The designer decided to compartment the large room to create a small office.”
In context“The new filing system was intended to compartment the data more logically, though it initially caused confusion among the staff.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
“But that is why it is essential that devices are kept in the cabin, not in overhead compartments, and definitely not in the hold.”
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.