Wiktionary
n. The property of a material that relates to its ability to resist compression loads.
Wikipedia
Compressive strength or compression strength is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to reduce size, as opposed to tensile strength, which withstands loads tending to elongate. In other words, compressive strength resists compression (being pushed together), whereas tensile strength resists tension (being pulled apart). In the study of strength of materials, tensile strength, compressive strength, and shear strength can be analyzed independently.
Some materials fracture at their compressive strength limit; others deform irreversibly, so a given amount of deformation may be considered as the limit for compressive load. Compressive strength is a key value for design of structures.
Compressive strength is often measured on a universal testing machine; these range from very small table-top systems to ones with over 53 MN capacity. Measurements of compressive strength are affected by the specific test method and conditions of measurement. Compressive strengths are usually reported in relationship to a specific technical standard.
Usage examples of "compressive strength".
Make the currents large enough and this reaction force is enough to overcome the compressive strength of the metal.
The resulting crystalline structure has a high compressive strength and damn good tensile strength.
Wherever local pressure exceeded the compressive strength of the neutron, matter disappeared.
That's solid granite, which has ten times the compressive strength of concrete.