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 WebAlice Park, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024
The materials in question are organic compounds, which can easily transfer electrons between each other.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Sep. 2024
This feeling of isolation is compounded by the scarcity of representation in campaigns and events.
—Tina Charisma, Essence, 26 Sep. 2024
Wes Moss, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The global mezcal market was valued at $1.02 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from $1.12 billion in 2024 to $2.55 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.79% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compound 
Noun
Because the compound, called xanomeline, caused wide-ranging side effects, Lilly's researchers shelved further study on it.
—Alice Park, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024
The materials in question are organic compounds, which can easily transfer electrons between each other.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
The mounting rainfall throughout Friday compounded the impacts of the wind, Vorst said.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Sep. 2024
This feeling of isolation is compounded by the scarcity of representation in campaigns and events.
—Tina Charisma, Essence, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Folks fully invested saw a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%, meaning the money typically doubled about every nine years.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The global mezcal market was valued at $1.02 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from $1.12 billion in 2024 to $2.55 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.79% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 20 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 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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