composite

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

verb

composited; compositing

transitive verb

: to make composite or into something composite

composited four soil samples

composite the images

Synonyms of composite

Noun

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

Verb

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

Examples of composite in a Sentence

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

Noun

The decor is a composite of countless tropical vacations and excursions, stitched together into a singular fantasy. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Some are composites assembled from multiple dinosaurs or replica bones to create the illusion of a more complete skeleton. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 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

First Known Use

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