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

• 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

Michael Jackson Returns to the Top 10 Jackson’s The Essential compilation rebounds into the top 10 on the Official Albums chart. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

To catch up the general populace on what else he’s done over the decades, a new Siffre compilation will be released next month. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

The line-readings are stellar; if this were a sitcom, compilations of Jake Mierva and pals delivering quippy and quirky dialogue would go viral constantly. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2025

One sniff of the stuff created visions of Zen-X aesthetics dancing through my head to the tune of the Pure Moods compilation CD. —Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025

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