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

Local compost, manures or commercial garden soils are good sources of organic matter. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Casad and his wife, Cate Havstad-Casad, had turned one rocky corner into a compost pile and parking area for their equipment. — Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 2026

Verb

To date, the team has composted around 7,000 pounds of food waste. — Carlton Gillespie, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

The state’s composting law has proved challenging on several fronts. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

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