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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Abigail Jackson The adjacent dining area is dedicated to family heirlooms like a set of Allan Gould compass chairs from Kate’s interior designer grandmother and a red vintage rug from her great-grandparents. Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024 At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023
Noun
Leaders must navigate these challenges with a strong ethical compass, ensuring that their use of AI aligns with societal values and regulations. Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 Among the accessories are a revolver, compass, fishing rod, harpoon, spear and, of course, the yellow barrels (see the images below). Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for compass 

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 5 Oct. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on compass

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