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 Its mineral composition resembles materials observed in Mars' southern highlands by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Inspired by Janet Jackson and Solange, her compositions are lush and immersive. — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026 The Green Lady Lounge, known for featuring original compositions by Kansas City jazz musicians, is working toward reopening in December. — Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 Those discussions probably will involve everything from future political nominees, who must be approved by the Senate, to the composition of future defense budgets. — Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 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
  • Tal then moved to New York and was the audience lead for Departures as well as freelance writing destination and food-centric pieces for publications including Travel + Leisure.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • When packing space is limited, every piece needs to be pulling double duty, which is where versatile matching sets like this Pinspark two-piece set come in handy.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of piece
Noun
  • Plus, the reception desk has surprise toys and giveaways for children to discover like paper and crayons for drawing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In Westchester County, election officials said ballot scanners were not accepting paper ballots, an issue that resulted from a program update made after polling equipment was initially prepared and tested.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of paper
Noun
  • Outlooks and layouts vary but most rooms come with ravishing views of the Bosphorus; a few have terraces or gardens, while the split-level 5920-square-foot Peninsula Suite has a private rooftop terrace, outdoor swimming pool, gym, and hammam.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Both models include an interior kitchen block behind the driver's seat and a four-sleeper pop-up layout.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of layout
Noun
  • Information for this article was contributed by Aamer Madhani and Cara Anna of The Associated Press.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The article was accompanied by a sketch of Piaggi wearing Kee’s wool designs—it was drawn by Karl Lagerfeld.
    — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of article
Noun
  • The specific references to the music of the ’50s and ’60s that Fagen so dearly loves highlight a central tension in his work.
    — Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Staff say that the sanctions have not hindered the court’s work, but this seems improbable.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • Koolhaas’s essay narrates both the irrelevance of modernism and the disappearance of architecture into communication.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Thoreau’s essay, however, offers a direct rebuttal to an earlier text written by English clergyman and Utilitarian philosopher William Paley.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of essay
Noun
  • That timeline reflects a development process built around rapid design iterations and in-house manufacturing capabilities.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Also new are the 17- to 19-in alloy wheel designs and the power-latching sliding doors and tailgate.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of design
Noun
  • After 144 years of construction, architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, was inaugurated this summer after the final piece of the Tower of Jesus Christ was installed in February.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Dating van Gogh’s Starry Night Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece, The Starry Night (1889), has long fascinated art lovers and scientists like.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about composition

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