DECOMPRESSION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does decompression mean? 

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

1. restoring compressed information to its normal form for use or display

2. relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure)

  Familiarity information: DECOMPRESSION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECOMPRESSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Restoring compressed information to its normal form for use or display

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

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

decipherment; decoding; decryption (the activity of making clear or converting from code into plain text)

Antonym:

compression (encoding information while reducing the bandwidth or bits required)

Derivation:

decompress (restore to its uncompressed form)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

decompressing; decompression

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

alleviation; easement; easing; relief (the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance))

Antonym:

compression (applying pressure)

Derivation:

decompress (decrease the pressure of)

 Context examples 

The disease follows a benign course and is compatible with a normal life expectancy, requiring occasionally partial excision or decompression for relief of pain or other symptoms.

(Peritoneal Multicystic Mesothelioma, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The development of neurogenic bladder implies that surgical decompression was either ineffective, delayed or not attempted.

(Cauda Equina Syndrome with Neurogenic Bladder, NCI Thesaurus)

Divers can also get decompression sickness, which affects the whole body.

(Barotrauma, NIH)

Useful in the treatment of severe burns, peripheral vascular disease, carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression illness.

(Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)