compose

verb

com·pose | \ kəm-ˈpōz

composed; composing

Definition of compose

transitive verb

1a : to form by putting together : fashion a committee composed of three representatives — Current Biography

b : to form the substance of : constitute composed of many ingredients

c : to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition

2a : 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

5 : to free from agitation : calm, settle composed himself Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it …— Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work) At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about compose

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Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister. He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The base oil package in any oil makes up anywhere from 70 to 95 percent of the mix; the rest is composed of additives. — Paul Weissler, Popular Mechanics, "How to Pick the Right Motor Oil for Your Car," 14 Feb. 2019 When the couple launched Too Faced in the late 1990s, the beauty landscape was composed of tasteful nudes, somber browns, and minimalist packaging. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Tour the Maximalist Dream Home of Two California Beauty Gurus," 6 Feb. 2019 According to Vale’s website, the waste is composed mostly of sand and is non-toxic. — Peter Prengaman, The Seattle Times, "Searchers probe deep mud from Brazil dam breach; 65 dead," 29 Jan. 2019 Its frictionless surface is composed of the obsolete hierarchies that have been melted by the Internet. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "How the Great Recession influenced a decade of design," 27 Dec. 2018 The building blocks of atoms, protons and neutrons, are composed of a collection of particles called quarks and gluons. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Atoms may come apart as the Universe’s biggest stars explode," 24 Oct. 2018 The citizen group is composed of 26 people appointed by the mayor, City Council and Texas General Land Office and four representatives of a technical advisory committee. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, "Next Alamo hearing to give public more information," 10 July 2018 As a result, the adult brain is composed of a mosaic of genetically distinct cell clusters. — Robert Martone, Scientific American, "Early Life Experience: It’s in Your DNA," 10 July 2018 However, the Sign is covered up with a chainlink fence, so selfies have to be artfully composed, by holding the camera up high. — Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY, "Aerial tram to iconic Hollywood Sign? Warner Bros. proposes major project," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.