composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of composing
specifically
: arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form
the painting's unique composition
b(1)
: the arrangement of type for printing
hand composition
(2)
: the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing
2
3
: mutual settlement or agreement
The two parties came to a composition.
4
: a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
a composition of rubber and cork
5
: an intellectual creation: such as
a
: a piece of writing
especially
: a school exercise in the form of a brief essay
wrote a composition on the role of the police in our society
b
: a written piece of music especially of considerable size and complexity
Her composition for piano and flute was played at the recital.
6
: the quality or state of being compound
7
: the operation of forming a composite function
also
: composite function
compositionally
adverb
Examples of composition in a Sentence
the changing composition of the country's population
the composition of a chemical compound
The teacher reminded us to hand in our compositions at the end of class.
Recent Examples on the Web
And there was writing and the composition and his phrasing and singing of them, even his piano playing, including his almost gospel-like playing in the early records.
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026
Eligible categories include music composition, dance choreography, literary arts, visual arts, photography and film, with cash prizes in each medium.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Revered as both a musical scholar and a spiritual guide, his compositions blended classical structure, traditional gospel, and Pentecostal praise in a way few had ever achieved.
—Sharon Lawson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The discovery represents a fundamental advance in materials science, demonstrating how molecular architecture, not just composition, can redefine physical performance limits.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for composition
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Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026
Eligible categories include music composition, dance choreography, literary arts, visual arts, photography and film, with cash prizes in each medium.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Revered as both a musical scholar and a spiritual guide, his compositions blended classical structure, traditional gospel, and Pentecostal praise in a way few had ever achieved.
—Sharon Lawson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The discovery represents a fundamental advance in materials science, demonstrating how molecular architecture, not just composition, can redefine physical performance limits.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for composition
Cite this Entry
“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzish-ən
1
: the act or process of composing
2
: the manner in which the parts of a thing are put together : makeup
the composition of a painting
3
: the elements of a compound
the composition of rubber
4
: a product of combining ingredients : combination
a composition made of several different metals
5
: a literary, musical, or artistic production
especially
: a short piece of writing done as a school exercise
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