compile

verb com·pile \ kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: compile in a Sentence

Definition of compile

compiled; compiling

transitive verb

1 : to compose out of materials from other documents

compile a statistical chart

2 : to collect and edit into a volume

compile a book of poems

3 : to build up gradually

compiled a record of four wins and two losses

4 : to run (something, such as a program) through a compiler

See compile defined for English-language learners

See compile defined for kids

Examples of compile in a Sentence

He compiled a book of poems.
She compiled a list of names.
They took the best submissions and compiled them in a single issue of the magazine.
We compiled our findings in the report.

Recent Examples of compile from the Web

The Ocean Conservancy’s 2017 Coastal Cleanup Report compiled beach cleanups around the world and found that the most common trash item found on beaches is cigarettes, followed by plastic bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, and bags.

— radhika viswanathan, Vox, "Why everyone is shunning plastic straws," 4 July 2018
In her four years, Rydberg helped St. Charles North compile an 80-9-7 record, including 21-1-1 this season.

— c.r. walker, chicagotribune.com, "Carrying the torch: St. Charles North's Hailey Rydberg named the 2018 Courier-News Girls Soccer Player of the Year," 3 July 2018
The Democrats don't compile and share platform changes until the actual convention; a party spokeswoman said to expect that information on Friday.

— nate poppino, idahostatesman, "More than Oliver North: 3 things to watch for as Idaho Dems, GOP meet this week," 27 June 2018
After the incident, Lisa Stojanovski, a crew member, compiled safety concerns about the habitat and sent them to Kim Binsted, the HI-SEAS Principal investigator.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "What Happens When a Mars Simulation Goes Awry?," 23 June 2018
Contrast that to the United States, where human prescription statistics are compiled and sold by a private company, Quintiles IMS, formerly IMS Health.

— maryn mckenna, WIRED, "To Understand Antibiotic Abuse We Need Data From Farms," 11 June 2018
Sadler was a special assistant to the President, responsible for compiling and distributing talking points to administration allies.

— pamela brown, CNN, "Press aide who mocked McCain is out at the White House," 5 June 2018
Steyer compiled and started promoting a list of eight reasons impeachment was needed (from obstructing justice to abusing pardon powers).

— gabriel debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, "Mega-Donor Tom Steyer Is Forcing Democrats to Talk Impeachment. Is It a Losing Strategy?," 25 May 2018
But the new guidelines offer the clearest and most up-to-date picture of which lifestyle factors influence cancer development, says Elisa Bandera, MD, a member of the panel that compiled and wrote the report.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "Following These 10 Steps Can Slash Your Cancer Risk by 40%," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of compile

Middle English, from Anglo-French compiler, from Latin compilare to plunder

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

compile Synonyms

Synonyms

anthologize, collect;

accumulate, amass, assemble, collate, gather, group;

COMPILE Defined for English Language Learners

compile

verb

Definition of compile for English Language Learners

: to create (a CD, book, list, etc.) by gathering things (such as songs or pieces of writing or information)
: to put together (various songs, pieces of writing, facts, etc.) in a publication or collection
computers : to change (computer programming instructions) into a form the computer can understand and use

COMPILE Defined for Kids

compile

verb com·pile \ kəm-ˈpīl \

Definition of compile for Students

compiled; compiling

1 : to create by gathering things together

She compiled a list of names.

2 : to put things together in a publication or collection

Learn More about compile

See words that rhyme with compile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compile Spanish Central: Translation of compile Nglish: Translation of compile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compile for Arabic speakers

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compile

Definition of compile for English Language Learners

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compile

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