compile

verb com·pile \ kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

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

Historical photos and articles from The San Diego Union-Tribune archive compiled by merrie.monteagudo@sduniontribune.com.

— merrie monteagudo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "History in headlines," 15 Apr. 2018
The New York Yankees are once again Major League Baseball's most valuable team, according to an annual list compiled by Forbes Magazine.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "Yankees Are MLB's Most Valuable Team Again," 11 Apr. 2018
Smith, who was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and a three-star prospect in a composite of recruiting services compiled by 247sports, had originally committed to Ole Miss but decommitted after the Rebels made a coaching change.

— don markus, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland men's basketball adds Florida combo guard Serrel Smith to 2018 recruiting class," 11 Apr. 2018
Ratings compiled by baseball writer Sean Begin and do not reflect Monday’s games.

— sean begin, courant.com, "High School Baseball: Staples, Cheshire Top First State, Area Rankings," 10 Apr. 2018
Stockpiles held at the key Cushing, Oklahoma, pipeline hub likely rose by 2 million barrels last week, a forecast compiled by Bloomberg showed.

— jessica summers, Houston Chronicle, "Crude surges as Xi allays trade war fears, Saudis seek $80 oil," 10 Apr. 2018
Litigation Costs Deutsche Bank has spent more than $17 billion paying fines and settling litigation since the start of 2008, according to company filings and other disclosures compiled by Bloomberg.

— Fortune, "Why Deutsche Bank Replaced CEO John Cryan After Less Than 3 Years," 9 Apr. 2018
See below this week’s Latin Notas -- the news summary, compiled by Billboard's editors, about new songs, videos, concert announcements and whatever else Latin musicians are doing in the world of entertainment.

— suzette fernandez, Billboard, "This Week in Latin Notas: Romeo Santos' Golden Tour Second Leg Coming Soon, Lali Esposito Performing With Enrique Iglesias & More," 9 Apr. 2018
Litigation Costs Deutsche Bank has spent more than $17 billion paying fines and settling litigation since the start of 2008, according to company filings and other disclosures compiled by Bloomberg.

— steven arons, Bloomberg.com, "Deutsche Bank Solves One Crisis With New CEO. Now Onto the Next," 9 Apr. 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

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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

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