compass

1 of 3

noun

com·​pass ˈkəm-pəs 

also ˈkäm-

1

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 plural

called also pair of compasses

2

: direction sense 6c

his moral compass

3

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

4

: a curved or roundabout course

… a compass of seven days' journey …

—2 Kings 3:9 (King James Version)

Illustration of compass

• compass 1a

compass

2 of 3

verb

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 

also ˈkäm-

adjective

compass

3 of 3

adjective

: forming a curve : curved

a compass timber

Synonyms of compass

Noun

• direction

Verb

• accomplish
• fulfill
• achieve
• execute
• do
• perform
• make
• carry out
• implement
• carry off

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

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.

Verb

attempting more than his modest abilities could compass

the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One direction changes with the prevailing winds instead of being anchored by an internal compass. — Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The accurate and robust biometric sensors include an optical heart rate sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, altimeter, ambient light sensor, a compass, a gyroscope, an underwater depth gauge, and more. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

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 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

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1523, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compass

• all points/every point of the compass
• compass card
• compass plant
• compass rose
• magnetic compass
• mariner's compass
• moral compass
• radio compass

Rhymes for compass

• rumpus
• encompass

Kids Definition

compass

1 of 2 verb

com·​pass ˈkəm-pəs 

also ˈkäm-

1

: to travel entirely around

compass the earth

2

: accomplish, achieve

compass

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: boundary, circumference

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