compost

¹com·post

noun \ˈkäm-ˌpōst, especially British -ˌpäst\

Definition of COMPOST

1

: a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land

2

: mixture, compound

Origin of COMPOST

Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin compostum, from Latin, neuter of compositus, compostus, past participle of componere

First Known Use: 1587

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with COMPOST

almost, at most, bedpost, crown roast, doorpost, endmost, foremost, French toast, gatepost, glasnost, goalpost, gold coast, Gold Coast, guidepost, headmost, hindmost, impost, inmost, king post, lamppost, midmost, milepost, outmost, outpost, pot roast, provost, queen post, rearmost, rib roast, riposte, seacoast, signpost, Slave Coast, sternmost, sternpost, topmost, upcoast, upmost, utmost

²compost

transitive verb

Definition of COMPOST

: to convert (as plant debris) to compost

— com·post·able \ˈkäm-ˌpōs-tə-bəl\ adjective

— com·post·er \-tər\ noun

Examples of COMPOST

1. We compost leaves in our backyard.

First Known Use of COMPOST

1829

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

compost

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Mass of rotted organic matter made from decomposed plant material. It is used in agriculture and gardening generally to improve soil structure rather than as a fertilizer, because it is low in plant nutrients. When properly prepared, it is free of obnoxious odours. Composts commonly contain about 2% nitrogen, 0.5–1% phosphorus, and about 2% potassium. Lime and nitrogen fertilizers and manure may be added to speed decomposition. The nitrogen of compost becomes available slowly and in small amounts. Because of their low nutrient content, composts are applied in large amounts.