composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
a committee composed of three representatives—
Current Biography
Current Biography
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
composed of many ingredients
c
: to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2
a
: to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
compose a sonnet
b(1)
: to formulate and write (a piece of music)
composed a symphony
(2)
: to compose music for
3
: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
compose their differences
4
: to arrange in proper or orderly form
The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.—Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)
At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.
Examples of compose in a Sentence
She composed a letter to her sister.
He is in his studio composing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Students will work collaboratively to analyze historical materials and compose a short article that interprets one of these topics through a modern critical lens.
—JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
When fully integrated, the launch system is composed of both a 232-foot Super Heavy rocket and the 171-foot upper stage Starship, the spacecraft where crew and cargo would ride.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Both tracks are penned by Stephen Schwartz, who also composes alongside John Powell.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
The top leadership bodies are still composed almost entirely of white men, and most are American-born.
—Brittany Romanello, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
When fully integrated, the launch system is composed of both a 232-foot Super Heavy rocket and the 171-foot upper stage Starship, the spacecraft where crew and cargo would ride.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Both tracks are penned by Stephen Schwartz, who also composes alongside John Powell.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
The top leadership bodies are still composed almost entirely of white men, and most are American-born.
—Brittany Romanello, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compose
verb
com·pose
kəm-ˈpōz 
composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
a stew composed of many ingredients
c
: to arrange type in order for printing : set
2
: to create by mental or artistic labor
compose a song
3
: to arrange in proper form
4
: to make calm
composed himself
compose your feelings
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