compass

play

verb com·pass \ˈkəm-pəs also ˈkäm-\

Definition of compass

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

play \ˈkəm-pə-sə-bəl also ˈkäm-\ adjective

See compass defined for kids

Examples of compass in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of compass

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

compass

noun com·pass

Definition of compass

1a : boundary, circumference within the compass of the city wallsb : a circumscribed space crammed into a narrow compassc : 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 northb : any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate directionc : 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 6c his moral compass

See compass defined for English-language learners

Examples of compass in a Sentence

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 of compass from the Web

Over the course of his long career, McCain has earned a reputation as a tough politician with a strong moral compass.

— kayla epstein, Washington Post, "Five of John McCain’s most courageous political moments," 20 July 2017
Trump’s kids seem to me to have close to no moral compass, are utterly absorbed into the family cult, and follow the same truth-churning, money-grubbing, corner-cutting, ethics-free recklessness of their father.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "If Republicans Love Their Country, When Will They Show It?," 14 July 2017
The NSC staff aren't the only ones without a compass.

— chicagotribune.com, "Under Trump, US-Russian relations hit new low," 6 July 2017
Guilt really messes up our compasses in such a lasting way.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: Do I Smoke Too Much Pot?," 27 June 2017
And yet, his fidelity to timeless values feels almost refreshing in a political moment when all the compasses seem to be spinning.

— malcolm harris, New Republic, "Senator Sasse’s Guide to Being a Grown-Up," 21 June 2017
It was designed to reflect the points on a compass rose with additional rocks marking the cardinal directions.

— kelly kazek, AL.com, "Where you can see 7 Stonehenge replicas in the south, including Alabama," 20 June 2017
Of course, my heart's compass pointed me directly toward New Iberia for a start.

— ted jackson, NOLA.com, "Cajun Culture at a Crossroad: A photographer remembers a dream assignment," 19 June 2017
Actually needing to follow a compass and count off paces to find treasure hauls.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "Microsoft at E3: Meet the Xbox One X's legion of games (that are coming to PC, too)," 11 June 2017

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.

Illustration of compass

Origin and Etymology of compass

see ¹compass

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

compass

adjective com·pass

Definition of compass

: forming a curve : curved a compass timber

First Known Use of compass

1523

COMPASS Defined for English Language Learners

compass

noun

Definition of compass for English Language Learners

: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
: something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.
: a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances

COMPASS Defined for Kids

compass

play

noun com·pass \ˈkəm-pəs\

Definition of compass for Students

1 : a device having a magnetic needle that indicates direction on the earth's surface by pointing toward the north
2 : an instrument for drawing circles or marking measurements consisting of two pointed legs joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in pl.
3 : ¹range 2, scope He is within the compass of my voice.