composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
… a committee composed of three representatives …—
Current Biography
Current Biography
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
composed of many ingredients
c
: to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2
a
: to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
compose a sonnet
b(1)
: to formulate and write (a piece of music)
composed a symphony
(2)
: to compose music for
3
: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
compose their differences
4
: to arrange in proper or orderly form
The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.—Sheridan Le Fanu
Sheridan Le Fanu
: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)
At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.
Examples of compose in a Sentence
She composed a letter to her sister.
He is in his studio composing.
Recent Examples on the Web
The two reportedly met when Elfman was hired to compose the music for Bridget's 1998 movie A Simple Plan.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Adults, children and families -- for the price of a subway fare -- can hop aboard the vintage train composed of 1930s cars along the F and Q lines.
—Chaz Nathaniel Young, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2025
The Others wouldn’t think of it, despite the chorus of consciences that compose their collective mind.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Many dishes arrive on diorama-like structures, completely composed of greenery that the pair pluck from their own garden.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Adults, children and families -- for the price of a subway fare -- can hop aboard the vintage train composed of 1930s cars along the F and Q lines.
—Chaz Nathaniel Young, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2025
The Others wouldn’t think of it, despite the chorus of consciences that compose their collective mind.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Many dishes arrive on diorama-like structures, completely composed of greenery that the pair pluck from their own garden.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compose
verb
com·pose
kəm-ˈpōz 
composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
a stew composed of many ingredients
c
: to arrange type in order for printing : set
2
: to create by mental or artistic labor
compose a song
3
: to arrange in proper form
4
: to make calm
composed himself
compose your feelings
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