decompress
/diːkəmˈpɹɛs/ · de.com.press
verb
- To relieve the pressure or compression on something. The engineer had to decompress the tank before it burst.
- To bring someone (such as a diver) back to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure. The diver had to decompress slowly to avoid getting the bends.
- To restore (compressed data) to its original form. The software was able to decompress the file and reveal its contents.
transitive verb
- To remove or reduce the pressure or compression on something. The pump decompressed the air from the tire.
intransitive verb
- To return to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure. The scuba diver began to decompress as he ascended to the surface.
Did you know? The process of decompression is crucial for scuba divers, as rapid changes in pressure can lead to serious health issues, including decompression sickness.