composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of composing
specifically
: arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form
the painting's unique composition
b(1)
: the arrangement of type for printing
hand composition
(2)
: the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing
2
3
: mutual settlement or agreement
The two parties came to a composition.
4
: a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
a composition of rubber and cork
5
: an intellectual creation: such as
a
: a piece of writing
especially
: a school exercise in the form of a brief essay
wrote a composition on the role of the police in our society
b
: a written piece of music especially of considerable size and complexity
Her composition for piano and flute was played at the recital.
6
: the quality or state of being compound
7
: the operation of forming a composite function
also
: composite function
compositionally
adverb
Examples of composition in a Sentence
the changing composition of the country's population
the composition of a chemical compound
The teacher reminded us to hand in our compositions at the end of class.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s relationship with Congress will depend on its post-election composition.
—
Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
David Avella, Chairman, GOPAC Independents and partisan composition.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Their alluring compositions sonically resemble the wonder of discovery with a hint of trepidation at the unknown.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
There are lots of options and ways to tinker with your team’s composition, all while unlocking mysteries and battling wave after wave of enemies.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for composition 
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Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
David Avella, Chairman, GOPAC Independents and partisan composition.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Their alluring compositions sonically resemble the wonder of discovery with a hint of trepidation at the unknown.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
There are lots of options and ways to tinker with your team’s composition, all while unlocking mysteries and battling wave after wave of enemies.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for composition
Articles Related to composition
Dictionary Entries Near composition
Cite this Entry
“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzish-ən
1
: the act or process of composing
2
: the manner in which the parts of a thing are put together : makeup
the composition of a painting
3
: the elements of a compound
the composition of rubber
4
: a product of combining ingredients : combination
a composition made of several different metals
5
: a literary, musical, or artistic production
especially
: a short piece of writing done as a school exercise
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