compile
verb
com·pile
kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l 
compiled; compiling
1
: to compose out of materials from other documents
compile a statistical chart
2
: to collect and edit into a volume
compile a book of poems
3
: to build up gradually
compiled a record of four wins and two losses
4
: to run (something, such as a program) through a compiler
Examples of compile in a Sentence
He compiled a book of poems.
She compiled a list of names.
They took the best submissions and compiled them in a single issue of the magazine.
We compiled our findings in the report.
Recent Examples on the Web
The ad tech data was compiled by International Justice Mission between February 2025 and January 2026.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Missouri would be the only state in the country with such a requirement, often called a concurrent majority, according to a list of state ballot measure rules compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
America is preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday, and in tribute, this article compiles an unranked list of 250 of the greatest aspects of American sports, both past and present.
—
Darren Cooper,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Law enforcement data compiled by CNN affiliate WLBT shows 38 of those 41 homicides reported by Jackson police in 2026 were the result of a shooting.
—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for compile
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.
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Missouri would be the only state in the country with such a requirement, often called a concurrent majority, according to a list of state ballot measure rules compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
America is preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday, and in tribute, this article compiles an unranked list of 250 of the greatest aspects of American sports, both past and present.
—
Darren Cooper,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Law enforcement data compiled by CNN affiliate WLBT shows 38 of those 41 homicides reported by Jackson police in 2026 were the result of a shooting.
—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for compile
Cite this Entry
“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compile
verb
com·pile
kəm-ˈpīl
compiled; compiling
1
: to collect into a volume or list
compile a book of poems
2
: to put together in a new form out of materials from other books or documents
compile a history of India
3
: to translate (as a computer program) with a compiler
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
