noun

compartment

kuhm-PART-muhnt/kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/

A separate section within a larger whole.

The organizer has a separate compartment for each kind of object.

An open wooden organizer box with solid internal dividers forming clearly separate compartments inside one continuous outer case; different small objects occupy separate sections.

Etymology

comLatinprobably adds emphasis

+partLatinpart, share

+mentItalianresult of an action

The central idea is a part produced by dividing: a compartment is a section partitioned off from adjoining sections. Here com- probably strengthens the idea of division rather than meaning that parts are joined together.

In context

Sam Webster8:03

each lung is within its own compartment so the left lung is in a compartment the heart and the great vessels in the mediastinum are in another compartment

Pleura (anatomy)

More examples

She opened the glove compartment.
Each compartment held a different tool.
They sat in a quiet train compartment.

Forms

compartment · compartments

compartmentalize verb — divide into separate sections

Similar words

section: One distinct part.
chamber: An enclosed space.