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
The art was created by Lily Whear and Lizzie Younan composes our music.
—Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
Hollywood support staff, like office workers around the world, are using AI for pedestrian, unglamorous tasks like composing emails, setting meetings and figuring out how to dole out the constant stream of requisite congratulations and holiday gifts.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Woods appears composed, from the moment he is confronted by sheriff’s deputies and throughout the entire interaction.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The images are vivid and carefully composed.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
Hollywood support staff, like office workers around the world, are using AI for pedestrian, unglamorous tasks like composing emails, setting meetings and figuring out how to dole out the constant stream of requisite congratulations and holiday gifts.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Woods appears composed, from the moment he is confronted by sheriff’s deputies and throughout the entire interaction.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The images are vivid and carefully composed.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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