compost

1 of 2

noun

com·​post ˈkäm-ˌpōst 

 especially British  -ˌpäst

1

: a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land

2

: mixture, compound

compost

2 of 2

verb

composted; composting; composts

transitive verb

: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost

compostable

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stə-bəl 

adjective

composter

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stər 

noun

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Verb

We compost leaves in our backyard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His ideal mix for vegetables is a combination of topsoil, compost, and lava fines, which help oxygenate the soil. —Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025

Place the weeds in a plastic bag and leave it in the sun to kill seeds before adding the contents to your compost pile. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Verb

Even the used coffee pods are designed to be composted, making the whole experience eco-friendly from start to finish. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

Produce is sourced from local farms and gardens, and food waste is composted. —Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin compostum, from Latin, neuter of compositus, compostus, past participle of componere

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compost

• compost heap
• compost pile

Kids Definition

compost

noun

com·​post

ˈkäm-ˌpōst

: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as plant debris) used for fertilizing and conditioning land