WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•com•pen•sa•tion
(dē′kom pən sā′shən),USA pronunciation n. [Med.]
- the inability of a diseased heart to compensate for its defect.
- Psychologya loss of ability to maintain normal or appropriate psychological defenses, sometimes resulting in depression, anxiety, or delusions.
- de- + compensation 1900–05