Definition of compositionnext
1
as in piece
a literary, musical, or artistic production the compositions of Michelangelo include the dome of St. Peter's, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and his monumental statue of David

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2
as in paper
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise a teacher who is fond of having her class write compositions

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3
as in layout
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged student photographers learn the importance of composition in creating striking images

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4
as in article
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view submitted a composition to the local newspaper for its special section marking Martin Luther King Day

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of composition The stories are set against a live blues composition. Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026 There are a dozen on offer in various compositions, but a trio were presented at debut with slabs of coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli as their backdrop. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026 Pinney’s avid, canny compositions put these varied appurtenances in plain view, foreground and background, making these empty outdoor spaces feel implicitly busy with civic life and labor. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 The objective is to study the composition and origin of the domes and surroundings. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for composition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composition
Noun
  • The majority of items on show are from a collection that Lai Mah donated to the museum in 2022 comprising mostly of dresses belonging to Susan, as well as some pieces from her own mother, Li Zhang Huifang, who was a good friend of Susan’s.
    Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • The larger case between county officials and the Missouri State Tax Commission is still pending, along with several appeals and at least one piece of tax legislation at the legislature level.
    Ilana Arougheti June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • So while on paper Mecklenburg’s child care system appears relatively stable — roughly 500 licensed providers, a net gain of licensed slots last year, no mass wave of closures — Hazeldine says that’s an incomplete picture.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
  • But the papers didn’t contain any traces of drugs at all and the field tests the correction department uses are notoriously inaccurate, returning a false positive roughly four out of five times, according to the lawsuit, which cites a November 2024 city Department of Investigation report.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The configuration also supports a twin-aisle cabin layout within a narrowbody aircraft class, unlocking improved passenger comfort and more efficient boarding and deplaning.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
  • There’s a 7-inch TFT color display with three layouts, night mode, and Apple CarPlay as standard.
    Utkarsh Sood June 13, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
  • Siebel Newsom, who has been married to Newsom since 2008 and maintains a higher profile than other state governors’ spouses, has been the subject of several recent articles in right-wing news outlets.
    Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Wellness gurus will also appreciate the range of treatments and healing modalities on offer at The Lotus Spa, from classic massages and facials to Reiki energy work and sound baths.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • Rather than focusing on recent struggles, Mattingly pointed toward the larger body of work that made Bichette one of the American League's most productive young hitters during his years in Toronto.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The essay compared frontier AI regulation to the Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft testing standards.
    Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • With essays, there’s a kind of shorthand to it.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Britain has consulted teachers, parents and young people on new restrictions, including a possible ban for under-16s, as well as curfews, app time limits and curbs on what the government has described as addictive design features.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • Textured walls and ceilings were also a flop with design pros in the kitchen.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Beautifully balanced with savory, sweet, salty and subtly-spicy flavor, these pecans are a hit by the handful or sprinkled on top of leafy green masterpieces like Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad or Kale and Roasted Beet Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
  • This is a masterpiece of modernist Chinese architecture and design from China’s first Pritzker Prize-winning architect Wang Shu whose work is a poetic alternative to the country’s generic glass and steel highrises.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026

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“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composition. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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