composition

noun com·po·si·tion \ ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: composition in a Sentence

Definition of composition

1 a : the act or process of composing; specifically : arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form

the painting's unique composition

b (1) : the arrangement of type for printing

hand composition

(2) : the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing

2 a : the manner in which something is composed

b : general makeup

the changing ethnic composition of the city's population

c : the qualitative and quantitative makeup of a chemical compound

the chemical composition of a polymer

3 : mutual settlement or agreement

The two parties came to a composition.

4 : a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients

a composition of rubber and cork

5 : an intellectual creation: such as

a : a piece of writing; especially : a school exercise in the form of a brief essay

wrote a composition on the role of the police in our society

b : a written piece of music especially of considerable size and complexity

Her composition for piano and flute was played at the recital.

6 : the quality or state of being compound

7 : the operation of forming a composite function; also : composite function

—

compositional

play \ˌkäm-pə-ˈzish-nəl, -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

compositionally

adverb

See composition defined for English-language learners

See composition defined for kids

Examples of composition in a Sentence

the changing composition of the country's population
the composition of a chemical compound
The teacher reminded us to hand in our compositions at the end of class.

Recent Examples of composition from the Web

The pair’s joint composition provides the haunting track of Le Renard Bleu, directed by Partel Oliva.

— sarah nechamkin, The Cut, "Watch Kenzo’s Dreamy Reimagining of an Ancient Japanese Folktale," 13 July 2018
In his work, Mack creates intricate compositions that echo aspects of movement and the urban grid, while Hudson’s works evoke the topographic — mapping devastation and rejuvenation.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Datebook: Shots of old Route 66, dreamlike paintings and garments fashioned from paper," 12 July 2018
Martin, who died in 2004 at 92, began to develop her signature grid and stripe compositions in the early 1960s.

— edith newhall, Philly.com, "In Philly galleries now: Bergstrom bags, a subtle modern master, Fleisher/Ollman's 'Party'," 12 July 2018
Schmitt will be singing songs in Hebrew and Yiddish and will team with Nugmanov in performing internationally known songs, including compositions in classical music and opera in the concert.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Cantor, comics headline entertainment options in Palm Beach County," 22 June 2018
George Gershwin’s groundbreaking 1924 composition that blended jazz with classical elements.

— jordan runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "The Beach Boys in Their Own Words: America's Band Tells the Tales Behind Their Pop Masterpieces," 8 June 2018
Abloh, who was recently named artistic director of Louis Vuitton, surely lent some of his designer edge to the stylish compositions.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Boys Noize & Virgil Abloh Drop 3-Track Industrial 'Orvnge' EP: Listen," 13 July 2018
Other arrangements, as well as original compositions, will be provided by Grammy Award-winner Eric Whitacre.

— anthony barcellos, sacbee, "How Big Sing California aims to bring joy to six cities and 10,000 performers," 13 July 2018
On one side is music from the Faenza Codex of around 1420, a collection of transcriptions of sundry vocal compositions that is one of the earliest repositories of keyboard music.

— joshua kosman, SFChronicle.com, "CD review: ‘Codex’ by Bruce Brubaker," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'composition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of composition

Middle English composicioun, from Anglo-French composicion, from Latin composition-, compositio, from componere — see compose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

composition Synonyms

Synonyms

article, essay, paper, theme;

dissertation, thesis;

tract, treatise;

discourse, discussion, study;

Other Printing Terms

epigraph, errata, leader, mechanical, notch, tittle, underscore, widow

COMPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners

composition

noun

Definition of composition for English Language Learners

: the way in which something is put together or arranged : the combination of parts or elements that make up something
: a piece of writing; especially : a brief essay written as a school assignment
: a written piece of music and especially one that is very long or complex

COMPOSITION Defined for Kids

composition

noun com·po·si·tion \ ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən \

Definition of composition for Students

1 : a short piece of writing done as a school exercise

2 : the act of writing words or music

3 : the manner in which the parts of a thing are put together : makeup, constitution

The president discussed the population's changing composition.

Each rock has a slightly different composition.

4 : a literary, musical, or artistic production

Law Dictionary

composition

noun com·po·si·tion

legal Definition of composition

: an agreement between an insolvent debtor and several creditors whereby partial payment of the debts discharges in full the original obligations — compare accord 3, compromise