Real Dictionary

compact
Compact things are small or take up very little space. You use this word when you think this is a good quality.

compact in American English
a small cosmetic case, usually containing face powder and mirror
closely and firmly packed or put together; dense; solid
to pack or join firmly together

compact in American English 1
adjective: joined or packed together; closely and firmly united; dense; solid
noun: a small case containing a mirror, face powder, a puff, and sometimes rouge
transitive verb: to join or pack closely together; consolidate; condense

compact in American English 2
noun: a formal agreement between two or more parties, states, etc.; contract

compact in British English 1
adjective: closely packed together; dense
noun: a small flat case containing a mirror, face powder, etc, designed to be carried in a woman's handbag
verb: to pack or join closely together; compress; condense

compact in British English 2
noun: an official contract or agreement

compact in Chemical Engineering
noun: A compact is a porous solid that is made by pressing a powder.