Compressor
The mechanical heart of a refrigerator or air conditioner that pressurizes refrigerant to create the cooling cycle.
Definition
The compressor is the heart of every vapor-compression refrigeration system, including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and heat pumps. It draws low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator, compresses it to high pressure (and high temperature), and pushes it to the condenser where heat is rejected. Modern compressor types include reciprocating (oldest, simplest), rotary (most common in window ACs and small refrigerators), scroll (HVAC standard for the past 20 years), and inverter (variable speed, best efficiency and quietest operation). Compressor failure is one of the most expensive appliance repairs, often approaching the cost of a replacement unit.
Where this term appears
Compressor comes up in product spec sheets, service reports, and troubleshooting documentation across most major appliance brands. If you encountered it in a manual or a service description and want context for how it fits into the larger picture, the related articles in the sidebar drill into the practical details. The glossary as a whole is intended as a quick lookup reference; for a deep dive on any specific topic, jump to the related buying guide or troubleshooting article.