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 That breakout win, which is still his most successful composition, failed to dominate by just one space. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The dark skies coming this week will be a fabulous time to photograph nightscapes, including the Milky Way, but composition is everything. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 July 2026 Life Is a Dream pairs Hopkins’ compositions with performances by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Philharmonia Orchestra. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 10 July 2026 The objective is to study the composition and origin of the domes and surroundings. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 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
  • The massive piece of domestic policy legislation passed a year ago, reshaping the country in profound ways from Medicaid and food-stamp cuts to a federal student loan overhaul.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026
  • The Don Yai Thong archaeological site, about 80 miles southwest of Bangkok, was discovered early this year after residents found pieces of ancient bronze drums in a rice field, leading to further excavation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of piece
Noun
  • Their new paper focuses on a group of mummies previously lost for years.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
  • This means some longtime shareholders would be allowed to begin selling their shares and cashing in on what were, for years, merely paper gains.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 16 July 2026
Definition of paper
Noun
  • Buyers will be able to tailor the interior with exclusive leather, Alcantara, and a choice of Comfort or Racing seats, both featuring six vertical grooves as a subtle nod to the six-speed layout.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
  • Likewise, the layout of the rooms could change and because the AI would generate the video separately from the audio, the lips would need to be manually matched, frame by frame, to the pre-recorded voice tracks.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of layout
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 15 July 2026
  • This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of article
Noun
  • To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • The hours between finishing work for the day and going out to dinner are the calm before the storm.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • His essays have appeared in Poetry London, Lit Hub, and elsewhere.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026
Definition of essay
Noun
  • The engines on this Starship and Super Heavy come from SpaceX’s third-generation Raptor design.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The control platform will also provide a common automation architecture across reactor systems, allowing engineers to collect operational data, refine system performance and validate design changes during testing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Definition of design
Noun
  • These were small masterpieces embellished with gold and vivid enamels.
    — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 13 July 2026
  • Its highlights include St John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio’s greatest and only signed masterpiece, and the Grand Master’s Palace, with its remarkable Palace Armoury.
    — Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 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 17 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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