Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA room, or section, or chamber, typically within a vehicle.
nounOne of the parts into which an area is subdivided.
Sentence Examples
The shabby compartment remained vacant.
Should I put this bag in the overhead compartment?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The train's luggage ____ was packed with suitcases for the long journey.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Keep all your important travel documents in the hidden ____ of your bag.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *ḱe?
Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm
Proto-Italic *kom
Proto-Italic *kom-
Latin com-
Proto-Indo-European *perh₃-der.?
Proto-Italic *partis
Latin pars
Latin partiō
Latin partior
Latin compartīrībor.
Italian compartire
Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥
Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom
Proto-Italic *-mentom
Latin -mentum
Italian -mento
Italian compartimentobor.
Middle French compartimentder.
English compartment
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This is a second-class ticket. And you're sitting in the first class!” “I'd no idea,” Haldiram said. “I didn't know what compartment was this.” And looking around, he asked, “Where does it say First Class? I still can't see it."
— 2014 April 28, Dr. Ulhas R. Gunjal, Home, Again!: A Novel of Identity, Self-Discovery, and Tragedy, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 313:
"Because of the heavy traffic, the 1960-61 Christmas guide to trains between King's Cross and the north stated: "To make travel conditions as comfortable as possible, passengers are requested to raise arm rests to enable four people to be seated on each side of those compartments which are fitted with arm rests.""
— 2023 December 27, David Turner, “Silent lines...”, in RAIL, number 999, pages 29-30: