1. the quality or state of being able to be compressed or squeezed into a smaller space or volume
Usage: commonly used in physics and engineering contexts
2. in physics, a measure of how much a substance's volume decreases when pressure is applied to it
Usage: technical term; often expressed as a coefficient in scientific and engineering applications

Examples

• The compressibility of gases is much higher than that of liquids.
• Engineers must account for the compressibility of air in hydraulic systems.
• Water has very low compressibility, making it useful for transmitting pressure.
• The compressibility of a material affects how it responds to external forces.
• Scientists measured the compressibility of the new foam to determine its suitability for cushioning.
• In deep-sea environments, the compressibility of water becomes an important factor for equipment design.