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
His press office has taken to sending out text-free press releases composed solely of images of ICE agents pointing guns at civilians.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The structure itself is composed of two intersecting, circular forms, each 36 m (118 ft) wide, and elevated on slender steel columns.
—New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
The species is composed of herbivores that feed on a mixture of leaves, fruits and flowers, the organization adds.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Today, China makes more than 70% of solar PV modules, 80% of the cells that compose those modules and 90% of the wafers used to make cells.
—Alex Wang, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The structure itself is composed of two intersecting, circular forms, each 36 m (118 ft) wide, and elevated on slender steel columns.
—New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
The species is composed of herbivores that feed on a mixture of leaves, fruits and flowers, the organization adds.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Today, China makes more than 70% of solar PV modules, 80% of the cells that compose those modules and 90% of the wafers used to make cells.
—Alex Wang, Twin Cities, 19 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 23 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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