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com·pile | \ kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l 
\
\compiled; compiling
Definition of compile
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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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web What was your process in compiling these guidelines?
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Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "Inside a New Effort to Create Guidelines for Treating COVID-19 Patients," 21 Mar. 2020 After compiling data taken from all over the world, the researchers found that killer fungi known as chytrid had caused declines in at least 501 species of amphibian.
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George Grall, National Geographic, "THE BEST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX," 19 Mar. 2020 On Friday, Lederman began gathering volunteers, mostly medical, pharmacy, and nursing students, while Shankar worked on compiling a list of health care workers in need of assistance.
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Alaa Elassar, CNN, "Meet the medical students who launched a program to offer childcare to hospital workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic," 18 Mar. 2020 Investigators didn't compile a timeline of David's last shift, but according to the myriad law enforcement documents, the undisputed parts went like this:
David met Easterling at the White Castle about 10:50 p.m. and the two drove to Fernald.
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cincinnati.com, "Death, lies and uranium: How an Ohio man’s mysterious disappearance in 1984 still haunts family, friends," 17 Mar. 2020 Guard members' responses to COVID-19 include: Identifying and preparing their facilities for use as isolation housing, and compiling state and medical supply inventories.
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Delon Thornton, CBS News, "Coronavirus has closed schools. People are urged to stay home. Here's how the National Guard is helping.," 17 Mar. 2020 Each Friday, IndyStar is compiling a list of some of the biggest ways the outbreak is affecting Hoosiers' lives, covering everything from social distancing to the fate of the 2020 Indianapolis 500.
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Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, "5 more ways coronavirus changed Indiana this week," 27 Mar. 2020 The analysis was compiled by the FBI’s Houston office and distributed to local law enforcement agencies across the country.
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Caitlin Yilek, Washington Examiner, "FBI warns of possible surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans as coronavirus spreads," 27 Mar. 2020 Our Opinion desk compiled artwork that riffs in mostly whimsical ways on the pandemic.
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Chris Stanford, New York Times, "Coronavirus, Jobless Claims, New Zealand: Your Thursday Briefing," 26 Mar. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for compile
compile
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of compile
: 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
See the full definition for compile in the English Language Learners Dictionary
compile
verbcom·pile | \ kəm-ˈpīl \
\compiled; compiling
Kids Definition of compile
1 : to create by gathering things together
She compiled a list of names.
2 : to put things together in a publication or collection
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Time Traveler for compile
The first known use of compile was in the 14th century
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