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Definition of "decompress" [decompress]

  • To relieve of pressure or compression. (verb-transitive)
  • To bring (a person exposed to conditions of increased pressure) gradually back to normal atmospheric pressure. (verb-transitive)
  • To adjust to normal atmospheric conditions after being exposed to increased pressure. (verb-intransitive)
  • Informal To relax: decompressed after 12 hours of driving. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "decompress" in a sentence
  • "As the other panelists begin introducing themselves, I snag a lucky minute to decompress from the call, the drive, the makeup session in the car, and get the game on."
  • "Also, it is a great time to decompress from the last 18 months."
  • "I also really enjoyed the Cinque Terra, if you can squeeze in a few days at the end, it's a nice way to decompress from the travel."