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

Garlic mustard often spreads when people remove it from their yards and place it in compost piles. —Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Once the compost is ready, mix it into your soil as a natural fertilizer. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026

Verb

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

This nutrient can help improve soil structure when composted or lightly worked into the soil. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 10 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