compost

1 of 2

noun

com·​post ˈkäm-ˌpōst 

 especially British  -ˌpäst

1

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

2

: mixture, compound

compost

2 of 2

verb

composted; composting; composts

transitive verb

: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost

compostable

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stə-bəl 

adjective

composter

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stər 

noun

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Verb

We compost leaves in our backyard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Water and turn your compost pile one last time. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025

The money will be used to pay for operational costs – to buy supplies, dirt and compost to maintain the lots – but are often not covered by grant dollars. —La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Verb

Leave this mulch layer in place through winter to insulate your garlic from the cold, and then rake it away and compost the mulch in spring when your garlic starts to produce fresh leafy growth. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025

Some produce is grown in the property’s organic greenhouse, and the resort composts all food waste on site. —Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compost

• compost heap
• compost pile

Kids Definition

compost

noun

com·​post

ˈkäm-ˌpōst

: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as plant debris) used for fertilizing and conditioning land