com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd 
1
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
especially
: a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
a new antibiotic compound
2
a
: a word consisting of components that are words (such as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
b
: a word (such as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes
com·pound
käm-ˈpau̇nd
kəm-ˈpau̇nd,
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
compounded; compounding; compounds
1
a
: to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
b
: to add to : augment
compound an error
… had several other medical complications that compounded his condition.—
Jeffrey S. Hollis
Jeffrey S. Hollis2
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine
3
: to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine
compound ingredients
… a thick sauce compounded of chilies, garlic, and ginger.—Andy Birsh
Andy Birsh4
a
: to settle amicably : adjust by agreement
b
: to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
compound a felony
1
: to become joined in a compound
2
: to come to terms of agreement
compounded with the enemy for peace
compounder
noun
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
käm-ˈpau̇nd
käm-ˈpau̇nd
kəm-ˈpau̇nd
1
: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: such as
a
: having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis
a compound leaf
b
: composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent
a compound plant ovary
2
: involving or used in a combination
3
a
of a word
: made by combining two or more words : constituting a compound (see compound entry 1 sense 2)
"Steamboat" is a compound noun.
b
of a sentence
: having two or more main clauses
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
: a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences
a prison compound
an embassy compound
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- admixture
- alloy
- amalgam
- amalgamation
- blend
- cocktail
- combination
- composite
- conflation
- emulsion
- fusion
- intermixture
- meld
- mix
- mixture
- synthesis
Verb
- accelerate
- add (to)
- aggrandize
- amplify
- augment
- boost
- build up
- enlarge
- escalate
- expand
- extend
- hype
- increase
- multiply
- pump up
- raise
- stoke
- supersize
- swell
- up
Adjective
Examples of compound in a Sentence
Noun (1)
mixed the chemicals together to form a new compound
The interest is compounded at regular intervals.
we compounded our error by waiting too long to call for help
Adjective
“Steamboat” is a compound noun.
“I told him to leave and he left” is a compound sentence.
Recent Examples on the WebAlessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
Certain conditions are necessary for essential chemical reactions to occur, such as a steady energy source, organic compounds, and water.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
The Raiders, in the midst of their own dismal start compounded by trading away receiver Davante Adams this week, certainly present a prime opportunity to get some corrections on film.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 19 Oct. 2024
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024
According to one forecast, the market should grow to over $110 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61.3% between 2023 and 2028.
—Raghunandan Gurumurthy, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compound 
Noun
Beta-carotene is the same compound that is found in carrots, red peppers, and sweet potatoes.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
Certain conditions are necessary for essential chemical reactions to occur, such as a steady energy source, organic compounds, and water.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly has sued several weight loss clinics, medical spas and compounding pharmacies across the U.S. over the past year.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
The Raiders, in the midst of their own dismal start compounded by trading away receiver Davante Adams this week, certainly present a prime opportunity to get some corrections on film.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 19 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Deloitte predicts that the technology could enable fraud losses to reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, from $12.3 billion in 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 32%.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024
According to one forecast, the market should grow to over $110 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61.3% between 2023 and 2028.
—Raghunandan Gurumurthy, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compound
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compound
Cite this Entry
“Compound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compound
1 of 4 verb
com·pound
käm-ˈpau̇nd
kəm-;
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
1
: to put together or be joined to form a whole : combine
2
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine
3
: to settle or adjust by agreement
compound a debt
4
a
: to pay in the form of compound interest
interest compounded quarterly
b
: to add to
compounded our errors
compounder
noun
compound
2 of 4 adjective
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
käm-ˈpau̇nd,
kəm-
1
: made of or by the union of separate elements or parts
a compound substance
2
: made up of two or more parts that are alike and form a common whole
a raspberry is a compound fruit
3
a
: being a word that is a compound
the compound noun "steamboat"
b
: consisting of two or more main clauses
"I told him to leave and he left" is a compound sentence
compound
3 of 4 noun
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
1
: a word consisting of parts that are words
"rowboat," "high school," and "light-year" are compounds
2
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
especially
: a distinct substance formed by the union of two or more chemical elements in definite proportion by weight
compound
4 of 4 noun
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
: an enclosed area containing a group of buildings
Etymology
Verb
Middle English compounen "combine, compound," from early French compondre (same meaning), from Latin componere "compound, combine," from com- "with, together" and ponere "to place, put" — related to position
Noun
from a word in Malay, the language of the people of the Malay Peninsula, kampung "enclosure around a building"; both spelling and pronunciation influenced by the more familiar English word compound
Medical Definition
compound
1 of 3 transitive verb
com·pound
käm-ˈpau̇nd, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ
: to form by combining parts
compound a medicine
compound
2 of 3 adjective
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd, käm-ˈ, kəm-ˈ
: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts
a compound substance
compound glands
compound
3 of 3 noun
com·pound
ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd
: something formed by a union of elements or parts
specifically
: a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
Legal Definition
compound
transitive verb
com·pound
kəm-ˈpau̇nd
1
: to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
Note: Compounding a felony is a common-law crime.
2
: to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
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