compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

also -ˌpī-

1

: the act or process of compiling

the annual compilation of data

2

: something compiled

a compilation of hit songs

a compilation of vehicular accident reports

Synonyms of compilation

• anthology

Examples of compilation in a Sentence

The CD is a compilation of greatest hits.

the slow compilation of data

Recent Examples on the Web

The compilation has now spent 635 weeks on the Billboard 200. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Other gate giveaways include Spencer Strider’s vinyl record compilation on Tuesday and a Javy Lopez bobblehead Wednesday. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

CatVideoFest gathers more steam each year with Oscilloscope’s feature-length compilation of cuteness by Will Braden debuting to $586k on 255 screens. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026

The nine compilations drew 641 million viewing minutes, while the full series had 872 million. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see compile

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compilation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of compiling

2

: something compiled

especially : a book of materials gathered from other books

Legal Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

: a collection of preexisting materials and data so arranged to form a new original work under the law of copyright