compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l 

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

Synonyms of compile

• collect

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 on the Web

The administration cut more than 80 staffers in Near Eastern Affairs, according to numbers compiled by a State Department employee who was terminated last year. —Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026

Out of the 24 physical Bitcoin attacks this year, about two-thirds of them have occurred in France, according to a list compiled by Bitcoin owner Jameson Lopp. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

While society hopefully won’t encounter an apocalyptic scenario like the one depicted in Project Hail Mary, a team at Cornell University’s Carl Sagan Institute has compiled a list of planetary nominees worth a closer look. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026

The consulting giant said on Thursday revenue grew 4% in constant currency to $18 billion in the second quarter ended 28 February, beating consensus estimates compiled by Bloomberg. —James Booth, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle
• meanwhile

Kids Definition

compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpīl 

compiled; compiling

1

: to collect into a volume or list

compile a book of poems

2

: to put together in a new form out of materials from other books or documents

compile a history of India

3

: to translate (as a computer program) with a compiler