What does compression mean?
Word: Compression
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Compression means squeezing something so that it fits into a smaller space, like pressing more air into a tyre.
Synonyms: squeezing
How do you spell compression?
Syllables: com - pres - sion
Tricky part: The ending sounds like shun, and many students reach for -tion. Here it is -ssion, with two s's.
Watch out for: compresion, compretion, comprestion
Memory tip: Discussion, permission and compression all end in the same five letters, so learn the three together.
Compression in a sentence
Example 1: The compression of the spring made it jump back up when I let go.
Example 2: Sofia used file compression so she could email all the class photos at once.
Example 3: A bicycle pump works by compression of the air inside it.
Fun Fact
In a diesel engine, compression alone heats the air enough to light the fuel, which is why diesel engines have no spark plugs.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
c_mpr_ssion
a) u, e
b) o, e
c) o, a
d) a, e
Show answer
b) o, e. Both are short vowels: o in the first beat, and the e you hear in the second beat.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) cylinder
b) pressure
c) atmosphere
d) conpression
Show answer
d) conpression. Before a p we write m, not n, as in impossible and important.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
compression
a) expansion
b) pressing
c) squashing
d) crushing
Show answer
a) expansion. Squashing, crushing and pressing all make a thing smaller; expansion makes it bigger.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
ocmssenirpo
a) compressor
b) procession
c) profession
d) compression
Show answer
d) compression. The jumble has an m, an i and an n: compressor has no i or n, and procession and profession have no m.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is an example of compression?
a) pulling a spring until it is longer
b) stretching a rubber band to make it longer
c) pressing clothes down to shut a full suitcase
d) unfolding a big map to see the whole city
Show answer
c) pressing clothes down to shut a full suitcase
2. Which word is built on the same base word as compression?
a) complete
b) procession
c) competition
d) impression
Show answer
d) impression
