DECOMPRESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does decompress mean? 

• DECOMPRESS (verb)
  The verb DECOMPRESS has 3 senses:

1. restore to its uncompressed form

2. decrease the pressure of

3. become less tense, rest, or take one's ease

  Familiarity information: DECOMPRESS used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECOMPRESS (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they decompress    ... he / she / it decompresses   
Past simple: decompressed   
Past participle: decompressed   
-ing form: decompressing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Restore to its uncompressed form

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

decompress; uncompress

Context example:

decompress data

Hypernyms (to "decompress" is one way to...):

reconstruct; restore (return to its original or usable and functioning condition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

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

Derivation:

decompression (restoring compressed information to its normal form for use or display)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Decrease the pressure of

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

decompress; depressurise; depressurize

Context example:

depressurize the cabin in the air plane

Hypernyms (to "decompress" is one way to...):

adjust; correct; set (alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "decompress"):

puncture (cause to lose air pressure or collapse by piercing)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

decompressing; decompression (relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Become less tense, rest, or take one's ease

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

decompress; loosen up; relax; slow down; unbend; unwind

Context example:

Let's all relax after a hard day's work

Hypernyms (to "decompress" is one way to...):

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "decompress"):

vege out; vegetate (engage in passive relaxation)

sit back; take it easy (settle into a comfortable sitting position)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody's (body part) ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue decompress

 Context examples 

It's similar to how a sofa cushion decompresses when you remove your weight from it.

(Antarctica's Effect on Sea Level Rise in Coming Centuries, NASA)