compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

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

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

• cast
• craft
• draft
• draw up
• formulate
• frame
• prepare

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister.

He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web

How the optical illusion—modeled here by Lulu Tenney—was achieved: On top of bleached brows and sheer pastel pigments, McGrath misted seven or eight coats of a concoction composed of various peel-off masks and water through an airbrush machine. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2024

It’s composed of a whole head of radicchio that’s been deconstructed, coated with a black garlic and almond cream as well as a lemony vinaigrette, then reassembled with chunks of blood orange hidden between the leaves (the full recipe is here). —Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. —Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024

Jon Batiste, who is composing the score for the film, will portray Preston. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

Before it was filled with DeSantis appointees early last year, the board — then composed of Disney supporters — agreed to give Disney control of Disney World’s design and construction. —Mike Schneider, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

Singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson composed the music and lyrics for The Notebook musical, with playwright Bekah Brunstetter adapting Sparks' book. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

The merger agreement provides that the board of directors of the combined company will be composed of five members, with four members initially designated by TuHURA and one member initially designated by Kintara. —Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, a flying tourbillon is positioned at 12 o’clock; the featherweight component weighs just 0.35 grams despite being housed in a cage composed of 62 separate parts. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids 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

a

: to make (oneself) calm

b

: to gain control of

try to compose your feelings