compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l How to pronounce compile (audio)
compiled; compiling

transitive verb

1
: to compose out of materials from other documents
compile a statistical chart
2
: to collect and edit into a volume
compile a book of poems
3
: to build up gradually
compiled a record of four wins and two losses
4
: to run (something, such as a program) through a compiler

Examples of compile in a Sentence

He compiled a book of poems. She compiled a list of names. They took the best submissions and compiled them in a single issue of the magazine. We compiled our findings in the report.
Recent Examples on the Web Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2024 Frances spends a lifetime trying to solve a crime that hasn’t happened yet, compiling dirt on every person who crosses her path in an effort to prevent her own demise. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 Search options Google uses an assortment of methods to compile the items that will show up on your timeline and then provides a breakdown of your history by day, trips, insights, places, cities and world. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 The online bracket-style competition, which was compiled using a random match-up generator, will run over four rounds now through Friday, April 5, with the champion bar announced on Monday, April 8. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 Sales in fiscal 2023 fell 3% and are projected to rise just 2% in the current year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Jeran Wittenstein, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The real estate roundup is compiled from news releases and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Samantha Gowen, Orange County Register, 15 Mar. 2024 Data on household water rates aren’t comprehensively compiled in any public database. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 According to data compiled by the constructor David Steinberg, under the two editors before Shortz, Will Weng and Eugene T. Maleska, women made just over a third of the Times’ crosswords. Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French compiler, from Latin compilare to plunder

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compile was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near compile

Cite this Entry

“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compile

verb
com·​pile kəm-ˈpīl How to pronounce compile (audio)
compiled; compiling
1
: to collect into a volume or list
compile a book of poems
2
: to put together in a new form out of materials from other books or documents
compile a history of India
3
: to translate (as a computer program) with a compiler

More from Merriam-Webster on compile

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