Impaction
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪmˈpækʃən/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Impaction is a noun meaning A compression; the packing together of loose matter.
Meaning
A compression; the packing together of loose matter.
More Meanings
- Something packed together tightly; a mass of densely-packed matter.
- (medicine, gastroenterology) A solid, immobile bulk of stool.
- (dentistry) The failure of a tooth to erupt into the dental arch, because of adjacent teeth, dense overlying bone, excessive soft tissue, or other factor.
- (education) The situation where an institute, usually a college or university, receives more applications from qualified applicants than the number of spaces available, meaning that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Example Sentences
As plastics cannot be easily egested, these can accumulate within the stomach, causing impaction and leading ultimately to death.
Word Forms
- impactions
Synonyms for impaction
Depending on context, synonyms include impingement.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include impingement, compaction, compression, oppilation, compressure, smush.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.