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Merriam-Webster Logo Merriam-Webster Logo SINCE 1828 Merriam-Webster Logo Search Icon GAMES & QUIZZES THESAURUS WORD OF THE DAY FEATURES SHOP Buying Guide link icon M-W Books link icon SUBSCRIBE TO MWU * Up Down Merriam-Webster Logo MY WORDSMY WORDS Recents Icon RECENTS settings log out * LOG IN * REGISTER Search Bar Submit Icon Clear Search Icon Search Icon dictionary thesaurus Merriam-Webster Logo Log in Sign Up Hello, Games & Quizzes Thesaurus Word of the Day Features Buying Guide link icon M-W Books link icon Subscribe to MWU * Word List Icon My WordsMy Words * Recents Icon View Recents * Account Icon Account Log Out Mobile Menu Close Icon COMPOUND noun (1) Save Word To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ DEFINITION OF COMPOUND (Entry 1 of 4) 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 2a : 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 compound verb com· pound | \ käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) , kəm-ˈpau̇nd, ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ compounded; compounding; compounds Definition of compound (Entry 2 of 4) transitive verb 1a : 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 2 : 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 4a : to settle amicably : adjust by agreement b : to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense) compound a felony intransitive verb 1 : to become joined in a compound 2 : to come to terms of agreement compounded with the enemy for peace compound adjective com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) , käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) , kəm-ˈpau̇nd \ Definition of compound (Entry 3 of 4) 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 3a 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 compound noun (2) com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Definition of compound (Entry 4 of 4) : a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences a prison compound an embassy compound Other Words from compound Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing compound Learn More About compound OTHER WORDS FROM COMPOUND Verb compoundable \ käm- ˈpau̇n- də- bəl How to pronounce compound (audio) , kəm- ˈpau̇n- , ˈkäm- ˌpau̇n- \ adjective compounder noun SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS FOR COMPOUND Synonyms: Noun (1) * admixture, * alloy, * amalgam, * amalgamation, * blend, * cocktail, * combination, * composite, * conflation, * emulsion, * fusion, * intermixture, * meld, * mix, * mixture, * synthesis Synonyms: Verb * accelerate, * add (to), * aggrandize, * amplify, * augment, * boost, * build up, * enlarge, * escalate, * expand, * extend, * hype, * increase, * multiply, * pump up, * raise, * stoke, * supersize, * swell, * up Synonyms: Adjective * amalgamated, * composite Antonyms: Verb * abate, * decrease, * de-escalate, * diminish, * downsize, * dwindle, * lessen, * lower, * minify, * reduce, * subtract (from) Antonyms: Adjective * noncompound, * simple Visit the Thesaurus for More EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND IN A SENTENCE Verb 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. PHRASES CONTAINING COMPOUND * compound-complex * compound eye * compound fracture * compound interest * compound microscope * compound number * joint compound * quaternary ammonium compound * compound-complex * compound eye * compound fracture * compound interest * compound microscope * compound number joint compoundquaternary ammonium compound See More FIRST KNOWN USE OF COMPOUND Noun (1) 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3 Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (2) 1679, in the meaning defined above HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY FOR COMPOUND Verb Middle English compounen, from Anglo-French *cumpundre, from Latin componere, from com- + ponere to put — more at position Adjective and Noun (1) Middle English compouned, past participle of compounen — see compound entry 2 Noun (2) by folk etymology from Malay kampung group of buildings, village LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPOUND Share compound Post the Definition of compound to Facebook Facebook Share the Definition of compound on Twitter Twitter Time Traveler for compound Time Traveler THE FIRST KNOWN USE OF COMPOUND WAS IN THE 14TH CENTURY See more words from the same century From the Editors at Merriam-Webster A Comprehensive Guide to Forming... A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO FORMING COMPOUNDS Everything you need to know Should that word have a hyphen? SHOULD THAT WORD HAVE A HYPHEN? On open, closed, and hyphenated compounds When Is It 'You and I' or 'You and Me'? WHEN IS IT 'YOU AND I' OR 'YOU AND ME'? Some pronoun advice for you (and her and him and them). DICTIONARY ENTRIES NEAR COMPOUND compotus compound compound animal See More Nearby Entries STATISTICS FOR COMPOUND Look-up Popularity Top 1% of words Cite this Entry “Compound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022. Style: MLA MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster Seen & Heard People are talking about Skip Ads by More Definitions for compound compound verb com· pound | \ käm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ compounded; compounding KIDS DEFINITION OF COMPOUND (Entry 1 of 4) 1 : to form by combining separate things compound a medicine 2 : to make worse compound a problem 3 : to pay (interest) on both an original amount of money and on the interest it has already earned compound adjective com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Kids Definition of compound (Entry 2 of 4) : made of or by the union of two or more parts a compound leaf with three leaflets compound noun com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Kids Definition of compound (Entry 3 of 4) 1 : a word made up of parts that are themselves words The words "rowboat" and "hide-and-seek" are compounds. 2 : something (as a chemical) that is formed by combining two or more parts or elements compound noun com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Kids Definition of compound (Entry 4 of 4) : an enclosed area containing a group of buildings compound transitive verb com· pound | \ käm-ˈpau̇nd, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ How to pronounce compound (audio) \ MEDICAL DEFINITION OF COMPOUND (Entry 1 of 3) : to form by combining parts compound a medicine compound adjective com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd, käm-ˈ, kəm-ˈ How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Medical Definition of compound (Entry 2 of 3) : composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts a compound substance compound glands compound noun com· pound | \ ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ Medical Definition of compound (Entry 3 of 3) : 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 compound transitive verb com· pound | \ kəm-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce compound (audio) \ LEGAL DEFINITION OF COMPOUND 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 More from Merriam-Webster on compound Nglish: Translation of compound for Spanish Speakers Britannica English: Translation of compound for Arabic Speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compound WORD OF THE DAY JUXTAPOSE Listen to the pronunciation of juxtapose See Definitions and Examples » Get Word of the Day daily email! 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