Definition of compositionnext
1
as in piece
a literary, musical, or artistic production the compositions of Michelangelo include the dome of St. Peter's, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and his monumental statue of David

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2
as in paper
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise a teacher who is fond of having her class write compositions

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3
as in layout
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged student photographers learn the importance of composition in creating striking images

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4
as in article
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view submitted a composition to the local newspaper for its special section marking Martin Luther King Day

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of composition Since then, astronomers around the world have been studying the planet’s composition through a range of techniques including spectrography. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026 Kirill Kudrayavtsev, meanwhile, opted to place a foreground object in his composition, creating a beautifully contrasting image as the black silhouette of the weathervane of the Church of the Three Kings lay across the glowing yellow moon. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026 The objective is to study the composition and origin of the domes and surroundings. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 The architecture follows a classic French composition, a symmetrical facade punctuated by tall windows, and rooms arranged in sequence. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composition
Noun
  • Rotating with the seasons, each dish from head chef Agnar Sverrisson is a piece of art, from the summer-in-a-bowl gazpacho and expertly cooked Wagyu to the end-of-meal macarons nestled into a literal nature scene.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Using the text as a base, this piece tells the story of an unlikely bond — a ship’s Captain harboring a stowaway accused of murder —through a mix of words, dance, music, sound, and art installation.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Heat from the oven can damage or warp materials like plastic, wood, and paper stored in the drawer.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
  • In one promising sign, ABB’s pulp and paper division has been renamed the pulp, paper and fiber division.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Strict regulations required the new buildings to follow the exact blueprint of the original layout, so bungalows, villas and residences are scattered between lush gardens and the shoreline.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Here, the layout funnels life toward one central gathering space.
    David Caraccio April 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Not only did that article form the basis of the film, Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While Protect Wyoming is necessarily focused within the state and on state politics, rather than federal candidates, its work stands to influence nonresidents who hunt, fish, and recreate in the state.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
  • For commuters like Sirena Lopez, who drives two hours each way for work, the impact is immediate.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges could still consider how race has shaped students' lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • This essay appeared in the April 4, 2026 edition of the Fortune 500 Digest newsletter, which rounds up the headlines driving the week’s most important business news and coverage of Fortune 500 companies.
    Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Felder, an architect with an obsessive streak, thought extensively about the design of his banner, ultimately opting for a white sign with lettering the precise shade of blue as the Star of David on the Israeli flag.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The museum is dedicated entirely to 19th-century German and Austrian art and design, with a collection that spans paintings, furniture, sculpture, photography, and manuscripts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The tour, which was supposed to kick off April 22 in Glasgow, was going to include a complete performance of their 1971 masterpiece Fragile.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Read on to discover the stories behind the artist’s most fascinating masterpieces.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composition. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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