composed; composing

transitive verb

1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
a committee composed of three representatives Current Biography
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
composed of many ingredients
c
: to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2
a
: to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
compose a sonnet
b(1)
: to formulate and write (a piece of music)
composed a symphony
(2)
: to compose music for
3
: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
compose their differences
4
: to arrange in proper or orderly form
The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
5
: to free from agitation : calm, settle
composed himself
Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it … Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)
At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister. He is in his studio composing.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Diversity Of Skills And Expertise High-performing executive teams are composed of individuals with complementary skills and experiences. Levi King, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and composed the music for the original film, was replaced by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear in the sequel. Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025 Published on February 25, 2025 In This Review India’s Near East: A New History By Avinash Paliwal Save Some of India’s most consequential nation-building challenges have come in the eight diverse states that compose the northeastern part of the country. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compose

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of compose was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
a stew composed of many ingredients
c
: to arrange type in order for printing : set
2
: to create by mental or artistic labor
compose a song
3
: to arrange in proper form
4
: to make calm
composed himself
compose your feelings

More from Merriam-Webster on compose

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