composite

1 of 3

adjective

com·​pos·​ite kəm-ˈpä-zət 

käm-ˈpä-

especially British

ˈkäm-pə-zit 

1

: made up of distinct parts or elements

a composite photograph

composite materials

: such as

a

Composite : relating to or being a modification of the Corinthian order combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian

b

: of or relating to a very large family (Asteraceae synonym Compositae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees often considered to be the most highly evolved plants and characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers

c

: factorable into two or more prime factors other than 1 and itself

8 is a positive composite integer.

2

: combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group

… the composite man called the Poet …

—Richard Poirier

… the knight was a composite portrait of men whom Chaucer personally knew.

—John Livingston Lowes

3

of a statistical hypothesis : specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters compare simple sense 10

4

of a video signal : having two signal components (such as chrominance and luminance) combined in a single channel

For years, commercial television equipment has relied upon composite video cabling, which carries both brightness (luminance) and color (chroma) in a single cable.

—Home Theater Buyer's Guide

compare component entry 2 sense 2

compositely adverb

composite

2 of 3

noun

1

: something composite : compound

a composite of two images

2

: a composite (see composite entry 1 sense 1b) plant

daisies, dandelions, and other composites

3

: composite function

4

: a solid material which is composed of two or more substances having different physical characteristics and in which each substance retains its identity while contributing desirable properties to the whole

especially : a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (such as silicon carbide) is embedded

5

: an artist's sketch or digitally generated image of a criminal suspect usually created from witnesses' descriptions and used to help police identify and apprehend the suspect

a police composite

Police have released a composite of the suspect based on a description from the victim of the April 4 robbery.

—Jim Jaworski

composite

3 of 3

verb

composited; compositing

transitive verb

: to make composite or into something composite

composited four soil samples

composite the images

Synonyms of composite

Adjective

• amalgamated
• compound

Noun

• alloy
• mixture
• amalgam
• blend
• mix
• amalgamation
• combination
• synthesis
• fusion

Verb

• mix
• combine
• blend
• integrate
• merge
• amalgamate
• incorporate

Examples of composite in a Sentence

Adjective

the movie's special effects included the use of many composite photographs

Noun

a composite of diverse communities

He spotted a man who resembled the police composite.

Verb

wood chips can be composited or sold as mulch

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The German owner of Stoll reported its booth received positive feedback for sport shoe solutions, composite innovations and performance warp knits, with a portfolio showcasing the diverse applications of warp knitting technology in Technical Textiles. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

If carpenter bees are a problem in your area, use non-wood building materials like composite, vinyl, or aluminum. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 5 May 2026

Noun

This counter was counter-countered then counter-counter-countered as composite armors were invented that consisted of steel, ceramics, and composites, which then later to contend with high-velocity darts made of depleted uranium. —David Szondy may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026

The following year, the Swiss Mad watch—sporting a case made from a composite infused with real Swiss cheese and a red fumé dial echoing the Swiss flag—mocked the loose standards behind the Swiss Made label, which require only half a watch’s components originate in the country. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 May 2026

Verb

It was then composited onto live-action background plates. —Marcus Lim, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

So, what allows the Structeryx FRP composites to exceed standard composite performance? —New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin compositus, past participle of componere — see compose

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing composite

• composite function

Rhymes for composite

• deposit
• closet
• posit
• nanocomposite
• oviposit

Kids Definition

composite

1 of 2 adjective

com·​pos·​ite käm-ˈpäz-ət  kəm- 

1

: made up of various parts or elements

a composite photograph

2

: of or relating to a very large family of dicotyledonous plants (as a daisy or aster) that are characterized by flowers arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers

3

: able to be factored into two or more prime factors other than 1 and itself

12 is a composite number since 2 × 2 × 3 = 12

composite

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that is made up of different parts : compound

2

: a composite plant