compass

verb

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com·pass | \ ˈkəm-pəs

also ˈkäm- \

compassed; compassing; compasses

Definition of compass

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 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 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 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, "The Democrats’ Future Depends on D.C. Statehood," 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, "‘You Are Today the One Person in the World Who Can Prevent a War.’ Read Gandhi’s Letters to Hitler," 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, "Britney Spears Gives Closet Tour as She's Granted Permanent Restraining Order Against Sam Lutfi," 13 June 2019 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 Shinoda examines the process of charting her own compass in her work, and seeing where the path leads her. — oregonlive, "5 things to do this week: Darcelle XV drive-in, Beaverton Symphony, and Portland Art Museum reopens," 7 Apr. 2021 Her moral compass extends to just about everybody, Brody revealed, except for one particular demographic. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Adam Brody Raves About Wife Leighton Meester in a Rare Interview," 30 Mar. 2021 In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘An American in Paris’; ‘Ben-Hur’," 26 Mar. 2021 Female turtles specifically migrate thousands of miles to nest at the beach where they were born, known as natal homing, and may use an internal compass to point them in the correct direction towards the shore. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, "Researchers Are Investigating Why Marine Animals Swim in Perplexing Circles," 22 Mar. 2021 Unlike most Hollywood filmmakers, Snyder has a lot to say — especially about retrieving our moral compass. — Armond White, National Review, "Zack Snyder’s Restored Grand Vision," 19 Mar. 2021 There are multiple examples of successful companies that have lost their compass, their North Star by losing line of sight if their vision and mission. — Doug Meyer-cuno, Forbes, "Is A Vision Statement Important?," 24 Feb. 2021 In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘The Searchers’; ‘Forrest Gump’," 12 Mar. 2021 The company’s need for revenue outweighed the leader’s desire to live in alignment with his moral compass. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, "14 Mistakes Leaders Make That Set A Bad Example For Team Members," 3 Mar. 2021

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.