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 legislation was included on the 2025 list of global trade barriers compiled annually by the Office of the US Trade Representative. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Violent crime in New Orleans has been declining for several years in parallel with national trends, according to data compiled by the city’s police department. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Annese has a similar track record, compiling gaudy win-loss numbers at high school and junior college programs before getting a head coaching gig at Division II Ferris State. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

An average of more than 2,500 rapes are reported in Nepal every year, including 250 in which the victims are under the age of 10, according to data compiled by the Nepal Police. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 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