Definition of compose
composed
;composing
transitive verb
1a : to form by putting together : fashion a committee composed of three representatives — Current Biographyb : to form the substance of : constitute composed of many ingredientsc : to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2a : to create by mental or artistic labor : produce compose a sonnetb (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.
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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 of compose from the Web
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Talk of medications, of diagnoses, of monthly checks that never seem to cover every need — these are the constants in households like this one, composed of multiple generations of people living on disability.
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FWS spokesman Ken Warren said Wrublik hadn’t had time to compose his response.
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Judd Greenstein composed two pieces, including a world premiere.
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Not unlike Mahler 10 — composed in similar alpine surroundings just a few years earlier —
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From old-vine vineyards, this white wine is composed of clairette, grenache blanc, bourboulenc and roussanne.
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The Army created Task Force Raptor, composed of 200 investigators.
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The concert will feature songs composed by Sephardic, Muslim and Christian women in the Middle Ages.
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In what should be a series composed of pitcher's duels with Parker and Paige Lowary on one side and Martin and first-team All-SEC honoree Kaylee Carlson on the other, the margin for error will be on a pitch-by-pitch basis.
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.
Origin and Etymology of compose
Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound
First Known Use: 15th century
COMPOSE Defined for English Language Learners
compose
playDefinition of compose for English Language Learners
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: to come together to form or make (something)
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: to create and write (a piece of music or writing)
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: to practice the art of writing music
COMPOSE Defined for Kids
compose
playDefinition of compose for Students
composed
;composing
1 : to form by putting together compose a team
2 : to be the parts or materials of This cloth is composed of silk and wool.
3 : to create and write compose a song compose a letter
4 : to make calm : get under control Although the news is shocking, I'll try to compose myself.
Learn More about compose
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See words that rhyme with compose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compose Spanish Central: Translation of compose Nglish: Translation of compose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compose for Arabic speakers
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