The maximum compressive stress which a material is capable of sustaining. compressive stress 1. the stress which resists the shortening effect of an external compressive force. 2. for a test specimen: the compressive load per unit area of original cross section carried by the test specimen at any time during a compression test.
The maximum stress developed in a material when located in compression. for practical purposes, the compressive yield strength is considered as the maximum compressive strength, particularly in the case of wrought metals.
