noun Division into compartments; compartmentalization. So as to prevent the spread of fire within a structure.
The fire spread rapidly after the building's compartmentation failed.
noun So as to prevent the spread of fire within a structure.
The fire spread rapidly after the building's compartmentation failed.
noun So as to prevent the spread of water (or rarely, another fluid) between otherwise watertight compartments (especially on a ship).
The Titanic's compartmentation did not stop water from entering rooms.
noun The dissemination of information and knowledge between different people or organisations on a need-to-know basis, so as to reduce the risk of espionage should one person or organisation be compromised externally; compartmentalization.