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

Spread a 1-inch layer of compost over the soil surface annually in spring, beginning the year after the plant is potted. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2025

Make sure to balance the amount of paper with plenty of food scraps to keep the compost pile healthy. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025

Verb

To compost, tear the tissue paper into small pieces to speed up decomposition. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025

Priority Waste is contracted to handle garbage, recycling and composting in Westland. —Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 23 Dec. 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