compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

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.

Synonyms

• cast
• craft
• draft
• draw up
• formulate
• frame
• prepare

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister.

He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Roughly 43 percent of Texas' teacher workforce was composed of people from historically disadvantaged groups in 2022. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

By elite education in the U.S., Brooks is talking about the pinnacle of the Ivy League—Harvard—but also the broader set of schools that compose the top of any university rankings system. —Jonathan Wai, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

This absorbing début story collection is composed of quiet snapshots of life in Kashmir. —The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

The remainder of the top 10 is composed of holiday favorites. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

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