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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
Explore Merriam-Webster
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
compass
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
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
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Guilt really messes up our compasses in such a lasting way.
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And yet, his fidelity to timeless values feels almost refreshing in a political moment when all the compasses seem to be spinning.
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It was designed to reflect the points on a compass rose with additional rocks marking the cardinal directions.
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Of course, my heart's compass pointed me directly toward New Iberia for a start.
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Actually needing to follow a compass and count off paces to find treasure hauls.
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The Xs and Os have become their spiritual compass, a place to find solace and strength and purpose.
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For Wray, the episode was a signal lesson in the necessary independence, moral compass, and leadership necessary to succeed at the Justice Department. ‘
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The two airfields have runways running northwest-to-southeast that nearly line up, with compass headings only 10 degrees apart, the report noted.
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
Synonym Discussion of compass
First Known Use of compass
1523
COMPASS Defined for English Language Learners
compass
Definition of compass for English Language Learners
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: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
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: something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.
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: a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances
COMPASS Defined for Kids
compass
playDefinition 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.
Learn More about compass
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compass Spanish Central: Translation of compass Nglish: Translation of compass for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compass for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compass
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