English · Word Candidate

compact

/ˈkɒmˌpækt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: compacts · compacting · compacted · compacter

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An agreement or contract.

Noun

Examples

President Biden laid out an ambitious agenda on Wednesday night to rewrite the American social compact by vastly expanding family leave, child care, health care, preschool and college education for millions of people to be financed with increased taxes on the wealthiest earners.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To form an agreement or contract.

Verb

Examples

In return for the sovereign's protection, they compacted to police the content of public literature.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Closely packed or densely constituted; having much material in a small volume.

Adjective

Examples

glass, crystal, gems, and other compact bodies

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Having all necessary features fitting neatly into a small space.

Adjective

Examples

a compact laptop computer

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “compact” mean?

An agreement or contract.

Is “compact” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.