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.—Sheridan Le Fanu
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
One concern on Wall Street is that AI models that quickly compose code might threaten mature software companies.
—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Earlier this month, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House proposed establishing an independent commission composed of 13 members appointed by leaders in Congress and the president.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The result is a bed that looks tidy and composed rather than slept-in—artfully arranged, and frankly, a little pleased with its own posture.
—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
Woolf composed her great modernist novels and her brilliant essays while troubled by suicidal thoughts and the tumult of two world wars.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for compose
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show current usage.
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Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Earlier this month, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House proposed establishing an independent commission composed of 13 members appointed by leaders in Congress and the president.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The result is a bed that looks tidy and composed rather than slept-in—artfully arranged, and frankly, a little pleased with its own posture.
—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
Woolf composed her great modernist novels and her brilliant essays while troubled by suicidal thoughts and the tumult of two world wars.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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