COMPACTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does compaction mean? 

• COMPACTION (noun)
  The noun COMPACTION has 2 senses:

1. an increase in the density of something

2. the act of crushing

  Familiarity information: COMPACTION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPACTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An increase in the density of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

compaction; compression; concretion; densification

Hypernyms ("compaction" is a kind of...):

concentration (increase in density)

Derivation:

compact (have the property of being packable or of compacting easily)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of crushing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

compaction; crunch; crush

Hypernyms ("compaction" is a kind of...):

compressing; compression (applying pressure)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "compaction"):

grind; mill; pulverisation; pulverization (the act of grinding to a powder or dust)

Derivation:

compact (make more compact by or as if by pressing)

compact (compress into a wad)

 Context examples 

The assembly of nucleosomes, as well as compaction of nucleosomal arrays into higher-order chromatin structures, creates a highly restrictive environment for nuclear processes that require access to DNA.

(hSWI-SNF Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The nucleosome interacts with DNA between nucleosome units in mediating chromatin compaction into higher order structures.

(Histone H4, NCI Thesaurus)

Linker Histone H1 interacts with DNA between nucleosome units in mediating chromatin compaction into higher order structures.

(Histone H1, NCI Thesaurus)

This gene is involved in histone and nucleosome organization and chromatin compaction regulation.

(H2AFX Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

Testing the device for problems that can occur as the result of excessive stress or pressure applied to the device resulting in its compaction (decrease of volume).

(Device Compression Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)