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 Michael Jerrett, an environmental health professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, said his concern is the composition of materials emitted when the building burned. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Last year’s class reimagined how successful Notre Dame could be at acquiring top defensive backs out of high school, but this one might be Freeman’s favorite, based on its composition. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 1 July 2026 But in the 25 years since that ruling, the composition of the high court changed considerably. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Many people incorporate walking to change their body composition, support their mental health, or improve cardiovascular health. — Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 30 June 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
  • Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Gomez's wedding guest dress also bore a striking resemblance to her 2025 Oscars dress, a custom off-the-shoulder piece by Ralph Lauren.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of piece
Noun
  • Then again, the paper was published in Nature, one of the world’s most authoritative and influential scientific journals.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 9 July 2026
  • New Justice Department letters and FEMA grant conditions demand citizenship checks, paper ballots and audits, prompting urgent logistical questions for election officials and raising fears of federal overreach into traditionally state-run voting.
    — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of paper
Noun
  • While choosing the layout, the tribe hosted listening sessions with community members and elders.
    — Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Engineers created a digital twin before construction to optimize the building layout and equipment placement.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of layout
Noun
  • This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • Lasser joked in a 1976 article in The Times that her role as Mary Hartman might merit identification beyond being Woody Allen’s ex-wife.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of article
Noun
  • But when menstrual symptoms become severe enough to interfere with work, school, relationships or daily activities, something more serious may be going on.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Oh, and hundreds of her works fill the screen, a magnificent and vibrant tour through her glorious career.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • In a personal essay for Elle in 2019, Taylor revealed that her mom’s cancer had returned.
    — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Artificial intelligence has complicated the reliability of admissions essays.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of essay
Noun
  • The plug-and-play design can be installed using a heavy-duty forklift and relies on simple air cooling instead of more complex liquid cooling systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • The costume design course was announced earlier this year, alongside the appointment of three-time Oscar-winning costumer designer Sandy Powell as its ambassador.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 9 July 2026
Definition of design
Noun
  • Situated in an elegant French neoclassical building in Barcelona’s Eixample district, the hotel puts you just footsteps away from luxury shopping, restaurants adored by locals, and masterpieces by Gaudí and other Spanish architects.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • To this day, nearly every aspect of this masterpiece remains ambiguous, alluringly unsettled.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on composition

Nglish: Translation of composition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about composition

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