decompresses; decompressed; decompressing
1 : to release or reduce the physical pressure on something or to have the physical pressure released or reduced
[+ object]
Surgery decompressed the vertebrae.
[no object]
Once pressure was released, the vertebrae decompressed.
2 [+ object] computers : to change (a computer file that has been made smaller) back to its original size by using special software
The file must be decompressed before it can be read.
3 [no object] US, informal : to rest and relax
After their busy week, they needed some time to decompress. [=unwind]
— decompression /ˌdiːkəmˈprɛʃən/ noun [noncount]
The divers underwent decompression. [=a process in which air pressure is slowly decreased to allow a person who has been deep underwater to adapt safely to the pressure at the surface]
data/file decompression