plural compasses
1
: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods.
Guests arrived from all points of the compass. [=directions]
2
: something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.
His religion is the compass that guides him.
Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks.
The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong.
3
a
: a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances
—often plural
a pair of compasses [=dividers]
b
: a tool that consists of a pen or pencil attached to a pointed stick and that is used for drawing circles
4
: a specialized area of knowledge, skill, experience, etc.
—often used after beyond or within
That topic falls beyond the compass [=beyond the scope] of my research.
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/compass. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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