1
2
a
: having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined
a compact woolen
compact bone
b
: not diffuse or verbose
a compact statement
c
: occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space
a compact camera
a compact formation of troops
d
: short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh
He had a small, compact body that looked full of life.—
D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence3
: being a topological space and especially a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it
compacted; compacting; compacts
1
: to make up by connecting or combining : compose
: to become compacted
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt 
: something that is compact or compacted:
a
: a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)
b
: an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties
Synonyms
Examples of compact in a Sentence
Adjective
The drill has a compact design.
the apartment's compact floor plan
The cabin was compact but perfectly adequate.
He is compact and muscular.
He has a compact body.
Verb
The snow had compacted into a hard icy layer.
the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site
Noun (2)
a five-nation compact to control drug traffic
the two made a compact never to artificially prolong the other's life in the event of incapacitating illness or injury
Recent Examples on the Web
James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
Verdict: The Ultimate Mini Desktop Improved inside and out with the arrival of M4 silicon, the 2024 Mac mini is not only Apple's best compact Mac to date but the best mini desktop, period.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Michael Hardy, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2018
As Cal rants and raves about how Manfredi is bound to discover the car and the driver, Jackie kills two birds with one stone by plugging the driver and having the whole mess compacted.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024
Antonia Debianchi, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024
Under the plan, the compact is not activated until enough states have joined to total 270 electoral votes.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compact 
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Adjective
Leadville’s compact layout makes most interesting sites a short walk or bike ride away.
—James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
Verdict: The Ultimate Mini Desktop Improved inside and out with the arrival of M4 silicon, the 2024 Mac mini is not only Apple's best compact Mac to date but the best mini desktop, period.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Christian began photographing his father’s scrap yard on every trip home to Florida, spending full days at the site documenting the process of separating, sorting, and compacting the raw junk that arrives at the three-acre site.
—Michael Hardy, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2018
As Cal rants and raves about how Manfredi is bound to discover the car and the driver, Jackie kills two birds with one stone by plugging the driver and having the whole mess compacted.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
The compact is decorated with illustrations like Oz’s air balloon and the flying monkeys.
—Antonia Debianchi, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024
Under the plan, the compact is not activated until enough states have joined to total 270 electoral votes.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compact
Articles Related to compact
Dictionary Entries Near compact
Cite this Entry
“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compact. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compact
2 of 4 verb1
: to draw together : combine, consolidate
2
: to make or become compact : compress
compact
3 of 4 noun
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
1
: a small cosmetic case
2
: a somewhat small automobile
compact
4 of 4 noun
com·pact
ˈkäm-ˌpakt
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English compact "firmly put together," from Latin compactus (same meaning), from compingere "to join," from com- "together" and pangere "to fasten"
Noun
from Latin compactum "agreement," derived from compacisci "to make an agreement," from com- "with, together" and pacisci "to agree"
Medical Definition
: having a dense structure without small cavities or cells
compact bone
compare cancellous
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