compressor

Everyday

1. A machine that squeezes air or gas into a smaller space, making its pressure higher, used to pump tyres, power tools and fridges. tree →
2. (music) A sound device that evens out loud and quiet parts. tree →
3. (medicine) A muscle or tool that presses something. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, compressors show that gases can be squashed (compressed) but liquids hardly can. Fridges and air conditioners use a compressor to move heat. At garages, an air compressor fills car and bike tyres. Related: compress, compression.

Examples

• The garage used an air compressor to pump up the tyres. tree →
• A fridge hums when its compressor is running. tree →
• Divers' tanks are filled with a compressor. tree →
• The compressor squashes air into the tank. tree →
• The builders' compressor powered the drill. tree →
• Gases can be compressed, but liquids are hard to squash. tree →

Note

compress + -or. Countable. Safety: compressed air is powerful; never point an air hose at a person.