composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
a committee composed of three representatives—
Current Biography
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
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
: 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
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 editors, dermatologists, and aestheticians.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2025
For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor bleeding into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative).
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Saturn’s rings are composed of trillions of small icy particles.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor that bleeds into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative).
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2025
For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor bleeding into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative).
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Saturn’s rings are composed of trillions of small icy particles.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor that bleeds into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative).
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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