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

Don’t fertilize during winter when growth has slowed, and consider an organic option, such as compost, for rosemary that will be used for cooking. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025

Make a compost pile, and your leaves will become valuable leaf mold that can be used to topdress the lawn or garden in about 12 months. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025

Verb

The city picks up the bags and composts them along with other ground up yard waste. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

It's accessed by sliding door and contains a shower and a sink, plus a choice of flushing, composting or incinerating toilet. —New Atlas, 17 Oct. 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