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.—Sheridan Le Fanu
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
They are felt as they are composed, painfully, joyously, cellularly—and they are designed for other biological beings to experience, to connect with, to be animated, provoked and moved by.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
From the balcony, Kate appeared still, serene and composed in an all-black ensemble, accessorized with a black hat, scarf, her RAF brooch and the traditional red poppy.
—Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Soundgarden were welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday with an all-star induction that included a performance by the band’s surviving members, a group composed of fellow Seattle musicians, and the daughter of the late Chris Cornell.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
The 17-song record is composed of música jíbara, or Puerto Rican folk, a staple of the island’s musical and cultural traditions, and tackles themes of political resistance and cultural pride.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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.
Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
From the balcony, Kate appeared still, serene and composed in an all-black ensemble, accessorized with a black hat, scarf, her RAF brooch and the traditional red poppy.
—Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Soundgarden were welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday with an all-star induction that included a performance by the band’s surviving members, a group composed of fellow Seattle musicians, and the daughter of the late Chris Cornell.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
The 17-song record is composed of música jíbara, or Puerto Rican folk, a staple of the island’s musical and cultural traditions, and tackles themes of political resistance and cultural pride.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share