composition

noun

com·​po·​si·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of composing

specifically : arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form

the painting's unique composition

b(1)

: the arrangement of type for printing

hand composition

(2)

: the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing

2

a

: the manner in which something is composed

b

: general makeup

the changing ethnic composition of the city's population

c

: the qualitative and quantitative makeup of a chemical compound

the chemical composition of a polymer

3

: mutual settlement or agreement

The two parties came to a composition.

4

: a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients

a composition of rubber and cork

5

: an intellectual creation: such as

a

: a piece of writing

especially : a school exercise in the form of a brief essay

wrote a composition on the role of the police in our society

b

: a written piece of music especially of considerable size and complexity

Her composition for piano and flute was played at the recital.

6

: the quality or state of being compound

7

: the operation of forming a composite function

also : composite function

compositional

ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

compositionally adverb

Synonyms of composition

• piece
• work
• masterpiece

Examples of composition in a Sentence

the changing composition of the country's population

the composition of a chemical compound

The teacher reminded us to hand in our compositions at the end of class.

Recent Examples on the Web

In their study, the team showed that combining two compounds with nearly identical chemical compositions but different crystal symmetries can yield an entirely new structure type. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

The rest of the Juice data from the comet’s flyby, expected between February 18 and 20, should include images from the spacecraft’s high-resolution optical camera, as well as composition and particle data that could provide more clues about where the interstellar object originated. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

In one study, similar improvements in body composition and performance outcomes, including lean mass, strength, and anaerobic power, were observed in athletes when an eight-week resistance training program was combined with daily 24-gram doses of either rice or whey protein. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2025

Human studies use different types of flour for sourdough starters, all with their own microbial compositions, making comparisons difficult. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English composicioun, from Anglo-French composicion, from Latin composition-, compositio, from componere — see compose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for composition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

composition

noun

com·​po·​si·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the act or process of composing

2

: the manner in which the parts of a thing are put together : makeup

the composition of a painting

3

: the elements of a compound

the composition of rubber

4

: a product of combining ingredients : combination

a composition made of several different metals

5

: a literary, musical, or artistic production

especially : a short piece of writing done as a school exercise

Legal Definition

composition

noun

com·​po·​si·​tion

: an agreement between an insolvent debtor and several creditors whereby partial payment of the debts discharges in full the original obligations compare accord sense 3, compromise