compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

transitive verb

1

a

: to form by putting together : fashion

a committee composed of three representatives

—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.

—Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

5

: to free from agitation : calm, settle

composed himself

Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it …

—Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)

At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Synonyms

• cast
• craft
• draft
• draw up
• formulate
• frame
• prepare

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 merger agreement provides that the board of directors of the combined company will be composed of five members, with four members initially designated by TuHURA and one member initially designated by Kintara. —Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, a flying tourbillon is positioned at 12 o’clock; the featherweight component weighs just 0.35 grams despite being housed in a cage composed of 62 separate parts. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024

Its roster is composed of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, National City and the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024

Others Vora’s indulged in burgers, pastas and pizza, traditional Indian vegetarian cuisine and composed Western entrees. —Shivani Vora, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Like many of the steel structures Serra worked with, the five plates composing the structure were fabricated in Germany and shipped to the site of the installation for assembly. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Share [Findings] Astrophysicists argued that the development of advanced alien technology requires an atmosphere composed of at least 18 percent oxygen. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

The track was composed and produced by Rachel Fuller (Townshend’s wife and sometimes collaborator) under the name Charlie Pepper, and reflects on the lack of human interaction caused by the pandemic. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024

Along with Bacon joining the set, their son Travis, 34, composed the film's music. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids 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

a

: to make (oneself) calm

b

: to gain control of

try to compose your feelings