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
What was more worrying for the weeks and months to come, though, was the ease with which Fulham repeatedly overran United’s midfield: a midfield composed of Fernandes and Casemiro, then Fernandes and Mason Mount, and later Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
And while some sections of the barrier are made of tall steel bollards — measuring up to 30 feet high — others are composed of mesh or chain-link fencing, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Deluca, meanwhile, had composed and written songs for acts such as Meredith Brooks, Joe Perry, and himself.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition to the marching band medley, Shapiro also composed all of the hilariously cursed muzak (a brand of background music used in commercial settings) of Lumon Industries and the creepy, liturgical music for the Eagan religion.
—Tim Greiving, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
And while some sections of the barrier are made of tall steel bollards — measuring up to 30 feet high — others are composed of mesh or chain-link fencing, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Deluca, meanwhile, had composed and written songs for acts such as Meredith Brooks, Joe Perry, and himself.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition to the marching band medley, Shapiro also composed all of the hilariously cursed muzak (a brand of background music used in commercial settings) of Lumon Industries and the creepy, liturgical music for the Eagan religion.
—Tim Greiving, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 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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