composition

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noun

Definition of COMPOSITION

1

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>

Synonyms number, opus, piece, work

Related Words classic, magnum opus, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, showpiece; model, outline, sketch; étude; canon, corpus, oeuvre

2

a short piece of writing done as a school exercise <a teacher who is fond of having her class write compositions>

Synonyms paper, theme

Related Words article, essay, story

3

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>

Synonyms arrangement, configuration, constellation, design, form, format, getup, layout, makeup, ordonnance, pattern

Related Words motif, theme

4

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>

Synonyms article, composition, paper, theme

Related Words causerie; column, commentary, editorial, feature, report, review, write-up; dissertation, thesis; tract, treatise; discourse, discussion, exposition, prolegomenon, study