compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

also -ˌpī-

1

: the act or process of compiling

the annual compilation of data

2

: something compiled

a compilation of hit songs

a compilation of vehicular accident reports

Synonyms of compilation

• anthology

Examples of compilation in a Sentence

The CD is a compilation of greatest hits.

the slow compilation of data

Recent Examples on the Web

The streamer’s compilation has been saved over 9,000 times in the first six days following the film’s release. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Our compilation of incidents is far from complete. —Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026

Always Postpone Meetings With Time-Wasting Morons, his first Dilbert compilation book, hit bookstores in 1992. —Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026

The band stayed busy in 2025, promoting Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements biopic/mockumentary, releasing a new best-of compilation, and playing a handful of live shows. —Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see compile

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compilation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of compiling

2

: something compiled

especially : a book of materials gathered from other books

Legal Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

: a collection of preexisting materials and data so arranged to form a new original work under the law of copyright