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
His speed and stamina levels were deceptive — while not always looking like a remarkable asset to the naked eye, the stats the club compiled said otherwise.
—
Simon Johnson, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
In 1993, Green started compiling 500 years of English slang by sifting through mountains of primary sources.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
If the Americans lose Thursday and Great Britain wins, but Canada beats South Korea, the final spot between Great Britain, Team USA and South Korea would be determined by draw shot challenge results compiled over the course of the tournament.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compile
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Simon Johnson, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
In 1993, Green started compiling 500 years of English slang by sifting through mountains of primary sources.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
If the Americans lose Thursday and Great Britain wins, but Canada beats South Korea, the final spot between Great Britain, Team USA and South Korea would be determined by draw shot challenge results compiled over the course of the tournament.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 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
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