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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So much so that prices of goods overall in the US have risen relatively little since 2001, whereas services are now twice as expensive, based on official data compiled by the company. Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 9 July 2025 True, though Counsell did compile a 5.5 WAR with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005, eighth among National League position players. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025 Five of the first 17 — Derek Jeter, Rodriguez, Adrian Beltré, Pujols and Cabrera — went on to compile 3,000 hits. Dennis Lin, New York Times, 8 July 2025 The report compiled by the Star-Telegram contained data from June 22 to June 28 and the results of 69 inspections. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for compile

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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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