Definition of "compartmentalize" []

• To separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments: "You learn . . . even the ability to compartmentalize ethics” ( Ellen Goodman). (verb-transitive)

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.

• "The Maldives 'president, Mohamed Nasheed, told the two to "compartmentalize" their problems."
• "MANN: We do deal directly with families and I think when we work in cases that where forensic scientists are able to kind of compartmentalize our motions, I think we're able to see through what we're doing so that we can stay focused and we can achieve the task at hand."
• "Let's just say I don't think they are able to "compartmentalize" very well."