compound

1 of 4

noun (1)

com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
1
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
especially : a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
a new antibiotic compound
2
a
: a word consisting of components that are words (such as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
b
: a word (such as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes

compound

2 of 4

verb

com·​pound käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
kəm-ˈpau̇nd,
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
compounded; compounding; compounds

transitive verb

1
a
: to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
b
: to add to : augment
compound an error
… had several other medical complications that compounded his condition.Jeffrey S. Hollis
2
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine
3
: to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine
compound ingredients
… a thick sauce compounded of chilies, garlic, and ginger.Andy Birsh
4
a
: to settle amicably : adjust by agreement
b
: to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
compound a felony

intransitive verb

1
: to become joined in a compound
2
: to come to terms of agreement
compounded with the enemy for peace
compoundable
käm-ˈpau̇n-də-bəl How to pronounce compound (audio)
kəm-ˈpau̇n-
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇n-
adjective
compounder noun

compound

3 of 4

adjective

com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
kəm-ˈpau̇nd
1
: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: such as
a
: having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis
a compound leaf
b
: composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent
a compound plant ovary
2
: involving or used in a combination
3
a
of a word : made by combining two or more words : constituting a compound (see compound entry 1 sense 2)
"Steamboat" is a compound noun.
b
of a sentence : having two or more main clauses

compound

4 of 4

noun (2)

com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
: a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences
a prison compound
an embassy compound

Examples of compound in a Sentence

Noun (1) mixed the chemicals together to form a new compound The interest is compounded at regular intervals. we compounded our error by waiting too long to call for help Adjective “Steamboat” is a compound noun. “I told him to leave and he left” is a compound sentence.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Most air pollution standards and regulations have been focused on larger particulate matter, such as PM2.5 – which includes organic compounds and metal particulates – and PM10, a category that includes dust, pollen and mold. Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024 The Farm is a fully functioning food compound with its own creamery, bakery, and greenhouse. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Those worries were compounded during the October trial when the judge did not allow a recent statement from U.S. health agencies to be shown to the jury. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 Issues on season one of the Max series were compounded by the pandemic, during which Japan imposed strict border controls. Gavin J Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Deloitte predicts that the technology could enable fraud losses to reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, from $12.3 billion in 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 32%. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024 According to one forecast, the market should grow to over $110 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61.3% between 2023 and 2028. Raghunandan Gurumurthy, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compound 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English compounen, from Anglo-French *cumpundre, from Latin componere, from com- + ponere to put — more at position

Adjective and Noun (1)

Middle English compouned, past participle of compounen — see compound entry 2

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Malay kampung group of buildings, village

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1679, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compound was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near compound

Cite this Entry

“Compound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

compound

1 of 4 verb
com·​pound käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
kəm-;
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
1
: to put together or be joined to form a whole : combine
2
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine
3
: to settle or adjust by agreement
compound a debt
4
a
: to pay in the form of compound interest
interest compounded quarterly
b
: to add to
compounded our errors
compoundable adjective
compounder noun

compound

2 of 4 adjective
com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
käm-ˈpau̇nd,
kəm-
1
: made of or by the union of separate elements or parts
a compound substance
2
: made up of two or more parts that are alike and form a common whole
a raspberry is a compound fruit
3
a
: being a word that is a compound
the compound noun "steamboat"
b
: consisting of two or more main clauses
"I told him to leave and he left" is a compound sentence

compound

3 of 4 noun
com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
1
: a word consisting of parts that are words
"rowboat," "high school," and "light-year" are compounds
2
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
especially : a distinct substance formed by the union of two or more chemical elements in definite proportion by weight

compound

4 of 4 noun
com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
: an enclosed area containing a group of buildings
Etymology

Verb

Middle English compounen "combine, compound," from early French compondre (same meaning), from Latin componere "compound, combine," from com- "with, together" and ponere "to place, put" — related to position

Noun

from a word in Malay, the language of the people of the Malay Peninsula, kampung "enclosure around a building"; both spelling and pronunciation influenced by the more familiar English word compound

Medical Definition

compound

1 of 3 transitive verb
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine

compound

2 of 3 adjective
: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts
a compound substance
compound glands

compound

3 of 3 noun
com·​pound ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
specifically : a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight

Legal Definition

compound

transitive verb
com·​pound kəm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio)
1
: to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)

Note: Compounding a felony is a common-law crime.

2
: to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal

More from Merriam-Webster on compound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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