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
Bruce Beach, Guinea-Bissau The Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is composed of 88 islands, but only about 20 are permanently inhabited.
—Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026
Though the movie is shot entirely outdoors and largely features people on the move, mostly in the countryside but also in several turbulent city sequences, Ouédraogo (working with three cinematographers) composes images with poise and concentration.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
An advisory task force, composed of local leaders including TI foundation executive director Andy Smith, released recommendations for DBDT in September aimed at fostering accountability and rebuilding trust in its next chapter.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Aveda’s mist is composed of potent plant extracts and utilises natural UV filters that form a light shield around the strands to block out harmful rays.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compose
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.
Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026
Though the movie is shot entirely outdoors and largely features people on the move, mostly in the countryside but also in several turbulent city sequences, Ouédraogo (working with three cinematographers) composes images with poise and concentration.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
An advisory task force, composed of local leaders including TI foundation executive director Andy Smith, released recommendations for DBDT in September aimed at fostering accountability and rebuilding trust in its next chapter.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Aveda’s mist is composed of potent plant extracts and utilises natural UV filters that form a light shield around the strands to block out harmful rays.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
