subcompact

noun

sub·​com·​pact ˈsəb-ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce subcompact (audio)
: an automobile smaller than a compact

Examples of subcompact in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Finally, at Buick, the Encore GX, a sporty subcompact SUV, saw a sales slide of 26.8% to 14,675 sold in the quarter. GM's dealer inventory at the end of the quarter was 627,048 compared with last quarter when dealers had 581,001 vehicles in stock. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 1 Oct. 2024 Driving the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Purists may scoff at this subcompact AMG’s lack of cylinders, but rest assured, this thing’s got ample punch. Peter Nelson, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 People look at a BYD Dolphin electric subcompact during the 2023 Shenyang International Auto Show on May 3, 2023 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province of China. Sonia Heng, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024 Ford took a few years to bring its hybrid vehicles to market, following the path of the Honda Insight two-passenger subcompact liftback and the Toyota Prius four-door sedan. Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subcompact 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subcompact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subcompact was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near subcompact

Cite this Entry

“Subcompact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subcompact. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

subcompact

noun
sub·​com·​pact ˈsəb-ˈkäm-ˌpakt How to pronounce subcompact (audio)
: an automobile smaller than a compact

More from Merriam-Webster on subcompact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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