compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l 

compiled; compiling

transitive verb

1

: to compose out of materials from other documents

compile a statistical chart

2

: to collect and edit into a volume

compile a book of poems

3

: to build up gradually

compiled a record of four wins and two losses

4

: to run (something, such as a program) through a compiler

Synonyms

• anthologize
• collect

Examples of compile in a Sentence

He compiled a book of poems.

She compiled a list of names.

They took the best submissions and compiled them in a single issue of the magazine.

We compiled our findings in the report.

Recent Examples on the Web

On an afternoon when sophomore Nunu Agara stuffed the box score, compiling 16 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two assists, Stanford easily handled Gonzaga, the preseason favorite to win the West Coast Conference. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Polling stations are opening up across the U.S. for varied hours during Election Day, and Newsweek has compiled a map of the different times. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

This should also be sufficient to ensure all transactions are properly tracked and enough financial data is compiled to file taxes at year-end. —Vlad Rusz, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

To compile this list of the best bed sheets at Target, Felton analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as our at-home testing. —Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French compiler, from Latin compilare to plunder

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpīl 

compiled; compiling

1

: to collect into a volume or list

compile a book of poems

2

: to put together in a new form out of materials from other books or documents

compile a history of India

3

: to translate (as a computer program) with a compiler