com·post
ˈkäm-ˌpōst 
especially British -ˌpäst
composted; composting; composts
: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost
Examples of compost in a Sentence
Verb
We compost leaves in our backyard.
Recent Examples on the Web
The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
The shelter also noted that coyotes often avoid humans, but the aromas of trash, pet food, and compost can attract coyotes to more populated areas.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Free compost in Sunnyvale In addition to the compost site at the Stevens Creek Quarry, Cupertino residents have another option for picking up free compost and mulch.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Two massive food bio-digesters reduce food waste to compost in 24 hours.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
In Phoenix, it’s partnered with a local farm that will come and collect your grounds and use them on their fields as compost.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 6 Mar. 2024
Expanding the use of dry compost toilets poses formidable challenges, however, from state- or county-level regulations right down to personal preferences.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
Wilson recommends increasing watering as the weather dries up to make sure the soil is moist and suggests putting in more compost around April or May.
—Alex Groves, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024
Finished compost will be provided free to customers?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 Jan. 2024
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
Feel free to compost it or even flush it down the toilet for a final goodbye ceremony!
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024
Those changes would come at a time when California is already struggling to implement recycling and composting programs.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Hardwood Bark: This is another product that absolutely must be composted before use as a mulch.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 8 Mar. 2024
The recycling and composting programs diverted more than 18,000 tons of solid waste and 1,500 tons from the landfill, Jordan said.
—Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 31 Jan. 2024
Amid the discussion of a landfill closure and composting, however, lies a deeper and more troubling question of whether similar chemical reactions could erupt in any of the roughly 100 active or inactive landfills across the Greater Los Angeles Area.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
On weekdays, educational programs led by volunteers are given to thousands of schoolchildren on topics ranging from composting and conservation to pollination.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024
Recycled poinsettias will be separated from their soil and undergo a composting process that transforms them into nutrient-rich compost.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024
Noun
Attendees can bring used clothing to swap, join a kids’ bike rodeo, pick up free compost and mulch or make sustainable produce bags.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
The shelter also noted that coyotes often avoid humans, but the aromas of trash, pet food, and compost can attract coyotes to more populated areas.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Free compost in Sunnyvale In addition to the compost site at the Stevens Creek Quarry, Cupertino residents have another option for picking up free compost and mulch.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Two massive food bio-digesters reduce food waste to compost in 24 hours.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
In Phoenix, it’s partnered with a local farm that will come and collect your grounds and use them on their fields as compost.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 6 Mar. 2024
Expanding the use of dry compost toilets poses formidable challenges, however, from state- or county-level regulations right down to personal preferences.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
Wilson recommends increasing watering as the weather dries up to make sure the soil is moist and suggests putting in more compost around April or May.
—Alex Groves, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024
Finished compost will be provided free to customers?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 Jan. 2024
Verb
Throw in composting and the situation is exacerbated.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
Feel free to compost it or even flush it down the toilet for a final goodbye ceremony!
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024
Those changes would come at a time when California is already struggling to implement recycling and composting programs.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Hardwood Bark: This is another product that absolutely must be composted before use as a mulch.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 8 Mar. 2024
The recycling and composting programs diverted more than 18,000 tons of solid waste and 1,500 tons from the landfill, Jordan said.
—Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 31 Jan. 2024
Amid the discussion of a landfill closure and composting, however, lies a deeper and more troubling question of whether similar chemical reactions could erupt in any of the roughly 100 active or inactive landfills across the Greater Los Angeles Area.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
On weekdays, educational programs led by volunteers are given to thousands of schoolchildren on topics ranging from composting and conservation to pollination.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024
Recycled poinsettias will be separated from their soil and undergo a composting process that transforms them into nutrient-rich compost.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing compost
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Cite this Entry
“Compost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compost. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
compost
noun
com·post
ˈkäm-ˌpōst
: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as grass) or their products (as coffee grinds) and used for fertilizing and conditioning land
More from Merriam-Webster on compost
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compost
Nglish: Translation of compost for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of compost for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compost
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