composition

noun

ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce composition (audio)
Definition of compositionnext
1
as in piece
a literary, musical, or artistic production the compositions of Michelangelo include the dome of St. Peter's, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and his monumental statue of David

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2
as in paper
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise a teacher who is fond of having her class write compositions

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3
as in layout
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged student photographers learn the importance of composition in creating striking images

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4
as in article
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view submitted a composition to the local newspaper for its special section marking Martin Luther King Day

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of composition Yet there are surprisingly few evaluations across different ethnicities, body compositions, and intensities of physical activity. — Mike McRae 03, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 The feedstock for this process can be in any physical form, including bars and chunks, as long as the material has a consistent composition. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 The Connected Hydration platform from Epicore tracks sweat composition, fluid loss, skin temperature, motion and thermal flux, with haptic alerts for fatigue or heat exhaustion. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 Her minimalist expression is matched by Hildur Gudnadóttir’s almost subliminal composition and sound design that now represents a beating heart, now thundering clouds. — Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composition
  1. piece
  2. paper
  3. layout
  4. article
  5. work
  6. essay
  7. design
  8. masterpiece
Noun
  • This provides room for larger single-piece prints like helmets, aircraft, and other display pieces shown in the campaign.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
  • For one daughter’s 2011 wedding, Roebbelen built a pergola for the vows and a stage for a 13-piece band.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of piece
Noun
  • Maduro’s lawyers argued in papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court that the indictment must be dismissed because heads of sovereign states are immune from criminal prosecution in foreign courts.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Ned Sampson, whose naïve dedication is starting to turn the paper around, is feeling happy both at work and in love, thanks to his budding romance with reporter Mare (Chelsea Frei).
    — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of paper
Noun
  • Consider your dishwasher’s caddy size and layout; mix handle directions or use an upper rack for knives.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That was then reduced to below 52,300 due to changes in safety regulations and the layout of the ground.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of layout
Noun
  • In a rebuttal argument, prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo pointed to a scrapbook Davis kept containing articles about Shakur.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This article is part of the Business of Influence series, examining the inner workings of content creation and how the industry is set to change in the years to come.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of article
Noun
  • The idea that stricter work-search requirements will lead to faster re-employment simply doesn't match the reality of modern hiring.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Eight quarterbacks in the final rankings of 2025 are currently on the bench or looking for work, so the quality diluted as injuries mounted.
    — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, penned an emotional Labor Day essay for The New York Times about the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, on a college campus in Utah last year.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • One professor may decide that students should write their essays in a blue book in class, while another may ask them to use an AI tool and audit every step of this work.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of essay
Noun
  • The contestants will have to design a wedding dress that showcases their style, and the winning design will be produced and sold by David’s Bridal.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers say a phase-change heatsink can reduce size and weight by more than 50 percent while maintaining the thermal capacity of a conventional design.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of design
Noun
  • An architectural masterpiece, Boston Public Library’s central branch and its neighbor Copley Square are priority stops on any trip to Boston.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Even for a famous masterpiece, the Bayeux Tapestry exerts an unusually powerful hold over the professionals who work with it.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterpiece

Browse Nearby Words

compositing
composition
compositions
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Cite this Entry

“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composition. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on composition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about composition

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