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

Japanese maple trees can also be planted in a container filled with a quality potting mix augmented with compost and sharp sand. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025

Practices such as planting cover crops in the off-season to protect the soil, reducing tillage, applying compost and rotating different types of crops can all help soil hold more water and support crops even during droughts. —Huma Tariq Malik, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2025

Verb

However, do not compost plant debris and soil of plants that had pest and disease issues, but dispose of it in the trash. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Dispose of any plant material rather than composting to prevent spreading any diseases. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 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