compost

noun

com·post | \ ˈkäm-ˌpōst

, especially British -ˌpäst\

Definition of compost

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2 : mixture, compound

compost

verb

composted; composting; composts

Definition of compost (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

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

Other Words from compost Example Sentences Learn More about compost

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Other Words from compost

Verb

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

If your soil is heavy clay, rocky, hard, or alkaline, mix in an inch or so of compost. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Beets This Fall for a Hearty Autumn Harvest," 21 Aug. 2018 One half inch depth of compost should be on beds before planting anything outdoors. — idahostatesman, "A gardening to do list for March and April | Idaho Statesman," 21 Mar. 2018 Whether situated in vases throughout the home or perfectly gathered in a wedding bouquet, they’re usually destined to be tossed in the compost. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "This “Flower Framer” Will Preserve a Meaningful Bouquet Forever," 8 Oct. 2018 Additional features of the community garden added in the second season included stand-up plot areas that are accessible for anyone, a garden shed and a compost bins area. — Shirley Macfarland, cleveland.com, "Broadview Heights Spotlights performs Southern family drama: Talk of the Towns," 13 Apr. 2018 The shells offer a slow-release of calcium, and just have to be thoroughly rinsed of saltwater before being added to compost. — Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Northern California divers try to save abalone population — with a giant sea urchin vacuum," 5 Apr. 2018 Prepare a planting bed for your asparagus, like this simple raised bed, that's about 4 feet wide by removing all perennial weeds and roots and digging in plenty of aged manure or compost. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Garden-Fresh Asparagus," 19 Aug. 2018 That, and more particularly, compost, can go on top of plantings, not in it. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Your garden chore this week? Do the neighborly thing and tidy up," 7 June 2018 Other weigh-offs spectacularly destroy their giant produce (in Littleton, Colorado, by dropping the pumpkins from a crane) and use it for compost. — Robin Tribble, Popular Mechanics, "How to Grow a Giant Pumpkin," 24 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Not every facility that composts food scraps and yard debris also accepts packaging. — Saabira Chaudhuri, WSJ, "Compostables, Meant to Cut Plastic Waste, Are Stumbling," 22 Jan. 2019 Pile all that straw up to compost over the winter for an amazing mound to use for filling your pots in the spring! — Jenae Sitzes, Country Living, "Here's Why You Should Be Adding Straw Bales to Your Garden," 8 Mar. 2017 All the waste product that comes out of my operation is composted and then used as fertilizer in my vegetable garden. — Hannah Rodriguez, The Seattle Times, "Turkey prices are lowest in a decade, but not for the kinds Washington farmers raise. Those are soaring.," 22 Nov. 2018 Flowers and plants will be composted; the other items will be catalogued and saved. — Washington Post, "Memorial for Florida school shooting victims dismantled," 28 Mar. 2018 Tea bags often contain plastic fibers that cannot be composted, while loose leaf can go straight into your backyard bin. — Mandy Ferreira, Good Housekeeping, "The Best Places To Shop Online If You Want To Save Money And Live A Zero Waste Lifestyle," 24 Aug. 2017 The eco-conscious city has been an environmental leader in the U.S., working to aggressively curb the amount of trash that goes into landfills by requiring more options that can be recycled or composted. — Anchorage Daily News, "Seattle bans plastic straws, utensils at restaurants, bars," 3 July 2018 By weight 75 to 80 percent of all household trash is organic matter that can be composted and turned into soil. — Stephen Leahy, National Geographic, "How People Make Only a Jar of Trash a Year," 18 May 2018 The zoo has had an organic waste diversion program since 2011, but was hindered by restrictions on composting primate and big cat stool. — Jennifer Conn, Akron Reporter, cleveland.com, "Akron Zoo sets global sustainability standard for zoos with 'Big Hanna' compost system (photos)," 24 Apr. 2018

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