compendium

noun

com·​pen·​di·​um kəm-ˈpen-dē-əm How to pronounce compendium (audio)
plural compendiums or compendia kəm-ˈpen-dē-ə How to pronounce compendium (audio)
Synonyms of compendiumnext
1
: a brief summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge : abstract
a one-volume compendium of the multivolume original
2
a
: a list of a number of items
b
: collection, compilation
a compendium of folk tales

Examples of compendium in a Sentence

a one-volume compendium of information He published a compendium of folk tales.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The movie narrates the life of George Orwell, using a compendium of archival sources, including the great writer’s letters and journals. Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2025 Weiss created the online publication The Free Press, a compendium of views and news reporting, on the premise that much of the mainstream media is too reflexively liberal. David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025 Not much, except for a night at the Hollywood Bowl with a bottle of wine, listening to a compendium of his music. Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025 So consider this an anthology of top architectural attractions, a compendium of cultural wonders, and a shortlist of the most sure-to-impress natural scenery on the planet. Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compendium

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "gain, profit, saving, short cut, abridgement, summary," from com- com- + pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" + -ium, suffix forming nouns from compound verbs — more at pendent

Note: Latin compendium would appear to have been formed from compendere, presumably "to weigh together," but the only evidence for such a verb is its citation by varro to account for the etymology of compendium.

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compendium was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Compendium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compendium. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.

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