compass

1 of 3

verb

com·​pass ˈkəm-pəs How to pronounce compass (audio)
 also  ˈkäm-
compassed; compassing; compasses

transitive verb

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
3
a
: 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
compassable
ˈkəm-pə-sə-bəl How to pronounce compass (audio)
 also  ˈkäm-
adjective

compass

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: 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)
3
a
: 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

Illustration of compass

Illustration of compass
  • compass 3a

compass

3 of 3

adjective

: forming a curve : curved
a compass timber
Choose the Right Synonym for compass

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023 It could be argued that Ingram, not Williamson, is the barometer and compass for how the Pelicans' will navigate the sails of the regular season. Christopher Dodson, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2021 The other delegates ignored him, the Constitution was adopted, and Charles L’Enfant skulked onto the scene with his ruler and compass a few years later. Kevin Mahnken, The New Republic, 25 June 2020 It is based on the knowledge that no spoliator can compass his end without a certain degree of co-operation, willing or compulsory, of the victim. Tridip Suhrud, Time, 25 Sep. 2019 Lutfi began harassing Britney and those around her shortly after the performer checked into an all-compassing wellness treatment facility in April, the singer’s attorney said in the court documents. PEOPLE.com, 13 June 2019 True to their name, though, sun compasses only work in the sun. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 4 Apr. 2018
Noun
Ships on Lake Michigan were forced to navigate by compass through haze so dense their captains couldn’t see even at midday, and school had been cancelled because so many children were ill with hacking coughs. Elisa Neckar, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023 Her group had been honing their navigation skills, figuring out how to get from one place to another as quickly as possible with only a compass and points, all while avoiding ambushes and snakes. Jen Percy, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023 Just be prepared to pour out any remaining liquid if you get lost; the flashlight and compass pieces also function as end caps. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2023 Crockett said Republicans who want to pretend the impeachments never happened have lost their compass. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Dallas News, 31 July 2023 The teachers had set up weather-station equipment that a researcher might use, such as a compass and a barometer. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2023 Those courses cover firearm safety and outdoor skills like using a map and a compass. Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023 The way written words spin intricate tales, while the visual art serves as a compass, guiding readers through the landscapes and dimensions that dwell within the pages. Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023 Carrying only a helmet, binoculars and a compass, the man had also tied five 25-liter (6.6 gallon) fuel tanks to the jet ski, the release added. Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 23 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French cumpasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin *compassare to pace off, from Latin com- + passus pace

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compass was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near compass

Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compass. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

compass

1 of 2 verb
com·​pass ˈkəm-pəs How to pronounce compass (audio)
 also  ˈkäm-
1
: to travel entirely around
compass the earth
2

compass

2 of 2 noun
1
b
: an enclosed space
c
: range entry 1 sense 6, scope
within the compass of my voice
2
a
: a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle pointing to the magnetic north
b
: any of various other devices that indicate direction
3
: an instrument for drawing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top
usually used in plural

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