compositions

Definition of compositionsnext
plural of composition
1
as in works
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 articles
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 layouts
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 essays
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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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 compositions The demo will be presented by award-winning artist Rose Irelan, who will demonstrate her palette, compositions, ocean waves and capturing light. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 David Nimmer, a longtime copyright attorney who also teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that under anti-bootlegging laws, the artists technically own the original compositions and live recordings. Christopher Weber, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026 David Nimmer, a longtime copyright attorney who also teaches at UCLA, said that under anti-bootlegging laws, the artists technically own the original compositions and live recordings. ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 San Francisco muralists smuggled the Communist newspaper Daily Worker and Marx’s Capital into their compositions. John P. Murphy, ARTnews.com, 5 Apr. 2026 In addition to Churchill Grounds and Clave, the center will host a music academy and a recording studio named Koolbonga Studios, named in honor of one of Williams’ most famous jazz compositions. Mike Jordan, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026 The collection merges advanced material engineering with innovative fiber compositions and a refined design language, offering a new perspective on how denim can evolve—both technically and aesthetically. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026 Lloyd Webber's score — with lyrics by Eliot, Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe — quickly became one of musical theatre's most treasured compositions. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026 The neutrality of the white cube gives way to an immersive installation dominated by shades of red—threads suspended from the ceiling, woven into sculptural forms, draped across surfaces and layered into dense, tactile compositions. Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
Noun
  • Some of the creators Expand Co-Lab works with include Brandon Smithwrick, Varun Rana, Sara Uy, Corporate Bro, Rachel Tokar, Matthew Kearney, and Morgan Young.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Icons are ancient works of religious art, often depictions of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, saints and scenes from the Bible.
    Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the email, sent to Lucas, Lucas’ chief of staff, then-City Manager Brian Platt and a city spokesperson, Kozakiewicz included a copy of the audit, which reviewed 65 articles and opinion pieces published from June to November 2024.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Reuters, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Communications are based on copper cabling and voice-grade phone lines, the HVAC systems leave the installations prone to damp, and the layouts are generally cramped, making repairs difficult.
    David Szondy April 05, New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Shirahama’s detailed etching and line work make the manga feel like an old picture book come to life, and her paneling and layouts are astonishingly detailed and gorgeous.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
    Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
  • If at first teachers worried about students using chatbots to write essays, now new agentic tools such as Claude Code are allowing students to outsource even more of their work to the machines.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Throw the pieces into a zip-top bag along with lemon (juice and slices), olive oil, a minced shallot, some Parmesan, and salt and pepper.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Those pieces of software, among other things, power operating systems and transfer data for things connected to the internet.
    Huo Jingnan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Post-mastectomy pain syndrome is a consequence of that success, according to recent research papers from anesthesiologists at Baylor University in Texas and surgeons in Chicago and New York.
    Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • As a permanent resident, Mami could easily travel back and forth between Anaheim and El Cargadero when others had to wait for years for visas or come into el Norte without papers.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Add Structural Edging or a Raised Border Structural edging and raised borders create clean lines that suit contemporary designs, says Stucchi.
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
  • And good architects can actually elevate the earlier structures when thoughtfully incorporating them into new designs.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Inside the media center, rows of workstations equipped with laptops and charging points allow reporters to file stories.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Filmmakers have used the Civil War as a setting for many decades now, inspiring stories of epic military battles, romantic melodramas, and even satires, from sweeping Best Picture winners like Gone With the Wind (1939) to revisionist Westerns like Django Unchained (2012).
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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