compass

verb

com·pass | \ˈkəm-pəs also ˈkäm-

compassed; compassing; compasses

Definition of compass

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot " … persons … who have compassed my destruction … "— Charles Dickens

2 : encompass a lake compassed by mountains

3a : bring about, achieve … none can compass more than they intend …— Alexander Pope

b : to get into one's possession or power : obtain He compassed a vast estate.

4 : comprehend could not compass the seriousness of the problem

compass

noun

Definition of compass (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : boundary, circumference within the compass of the city walls

b : a circumscribed space crammed into a narrow compass

c : range, scope the compass of my voice

2 : a curved or roundabout course … a compass of seven days' journey … — 2 Kings 3:9 (King James Version)

3a : a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north

b : any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction

c : an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in plural

— called also pair of compasses

4 : direction sense 6c his moral compass

compass

adjective

Definition of compass (Entry 3 of 3)

: forming a curve : curved a compass timber

Other Words from compass Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about compass

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Choose the Right Synonym for compass

Noun

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. the entire range of human experience gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. a performance that ran the gamut of emotions compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of compass in a Sentence

Verb

attempting more than his modest abilities could compass the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Noun

He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods. His religion is the compass that guides him. Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks. The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

True to their name, though, sun compasses only work in the sun. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Vikings Could Have Used Crystals For Navigation," 4 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Jugheads holds the map up to his map of Riverdale and realizes *something* that leads him to Fox Forest Park with a compass. — Jessica Macleish, Teen Vogue, ""Riverdale" Recap Season 3 Episode 1: Does Archie Go to Jail?," 11 Oct. 2018 John Krasinski follows in the footsteps of Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and, most recently, Chris Pine to take on the mantle of author Tom Clancy’s famous CIA analyst, a former Marine with a firm moral compass. — Karen Han, Vox, "The best parts of Amazon’s Jack Ryan don’t involve Jack Ryan at all," 31 Aug. 2018 The four seats in mahjong are named after the compass directions, which plays an important role both in the rules of the game and in the symbolism of the scene. — Jeff Yang, Vox, "The symbolism of Crazy Rich Asians’ pivotal mahjong scene, explained," 20 Aug. 2018 Nowadays, when any destination is a potential port of call, my eyes become the compass and my RV takes me there. — Jason Hummel, Popular Mechanics, "The Man Who Lives the Always-Outdoors Lifestyle," 25 July 2018 No, not a directional compass, which could feasibly (and legally) be used to accurately judge wind direction. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "FORE Questions: Breaking Down the New PGA Tour Schedule," 12 July 2018 But without a moral compass, power is empty and dangerous. — William A. Galston, WSJ, "Are the Ends Worth the Means at the Border?," 26 June 2018 The match begins at 6 p.m. in Moscow and 11 a.m. on the East Coast of the United States because, after decades of prioritizing Western Europe, FIFA’s compass has begun to shift east in recent years. — Kevin Draper, New York Times, "The World Cup Final’s Unconventional Start Time," 13 July 2018 In the Summit Tents, designer Cassie Novick has also peppered slightly different nautical touches throughout; ours came with a rope light fixture, vintage books and binoculars, and brass compass. — Fortune, "'Glamping' Has Officially Come to New York City," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.