compost

1 of 2

noun

com·​post ˈkäm-ˌpōst 

 especially British  -ˌpäst

1

: a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land

2

: mixture, compound

compost

2 of 2

verb

composted; composting; composts

transitive verb

: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost

compostable

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stə-bəl 

adjective

composter

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stər 

noun

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Verb

We compost leaves in our backyard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mixing in glass pieces added stability and ventilation to the compost, Barranco said. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 8 June 2024

The Indiana Nutrient Management Tool helps gardeners with fertilizer recommendations and application rates of compost and other amendments. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 3 June 2024

Verb

The hundreds of daily overnight campers can use composting toilets on site and are asked to pack out refuse. —CBS News, 14 June 2024

The trash bins in the composting toilets are not for your personal campsite trash... —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin compostum, from Latin, neuter of compositus, compostus, past participle of componere

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compost

• compost heap
• compost pile

Kids Definition

compost

noun

com·​post

ˈkäm-ˌpōst

: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as plant debris) used for fertilizing and conditioning land