compile

play

verb com·pile \kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l\

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

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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

Analysts had predicted $3.11, according to the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

— julie johnsson, star-telegram, "Increased F-35 production driving Lockheed profits higher," 18 July 2017
If those ratings were compiled the way a student’s grade point average is calculated, the public schools would collectively get a B. When asked to rate the nation’s schools, however, respondents are far less sanguine.

— jack schneider, The Atlantic, "Why Americans Think So Poorly of the Country's Schools," 17 July 2017
Wood, who signed a two year, $12 million contract as a free agent during the offseason, has made 26 appearances this year, compiling a 6.06 ERA over 32.2 innings.

— josh tolentino, kansascity, "Travis Wood, who hasn’t pitched since July 2, will start for Royals on Tuesday," 17 July 2017
For the week ended July 9, compiled by NPD Bookscan, © 2017 NPD Group, for Publishers Weekly.

— Philly.com, "Best Sellers," 16 July 2017
A recent report compiled by Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer counted 188 vacant storefronts along Broadway, one of the world’s great shopping corridors.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Strange State of New York’s Street-Level Retail Storefronts," 14 July 2017
Some estimates compiled by Quartz—including one leaked from the Department of Homeland Security in February—put the cost of the wall at $15 billion to $25 billion, $12 billion to $15 billion, and $21.6 billion.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Steve King's Plan to Build the Wall Is Absurd," 13 July 2017
The list, compiled by comparing touring numbers from Pollstar and record sales data from Nielsen, along with independent research, is based on estimates of pretax income from June 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017.

— maria carter, Country Living, "Here's How Much Money Your Favorite Country Stars Really Make," 12 July 2017
In true millennial fashion, compiling lists like this has already become a meme.

— eric weiskott, Smithsonian, "The Timelessness of Millennial-Bashing," 12 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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COMPILE Defined for English Language Learners

compile

play

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