compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l How to pronounce compile (audio)
compiled; compiling
Synonyms of compilenext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For young families with children, traveling over the holidays can be challenging, so family-travel blogs have compiled hacks to make smoother car rides or flights. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 21 Dec. 2025 Beginning in 1959, editors put in arduous work toward compiling the first encyclopedias written in Braille, the innovative code developed by Louis Braille in 19th century France. Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Dec. 2025 The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2025 To compile the values of college athletic programs, CNBC consulted AthleticDirectorU, which has an expansive database of college athletic program financials and information. Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compile

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of compile was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

compile

verb
com·​pile kəm-ˈpīl How to pronounce compile (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on compile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!