compost

1 of 2

noun

com·post ˈkäm-ˌpōst

especially British -ˌpäst

Synonyms of compost

: a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land

: mixture, compound

compost

2 of 2

verb

composted; composting; composts

transitive verb

: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost

compostable

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stə-bəl

adjective

composter

ˈkäm-ˌpō-stər

noun

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Verb We compost leaves in our backyard.

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.

Noun

Soil Use rich, well-draining soil like standard potting mix or a blend of potting soil, compost, and perlite. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026 Community soil scientists Lynn Fang and Maggie Smart-McCabe will demonstrate filling mesh socks with compost, microbes and fungal mycelium. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

And annuals are meant to only last through one season, so they can be composted once they’re spent and as the chill sets in. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026 The university gathered a multidisciplinary team from RMIT’s Melbourne and Vietnam campuses with expertise in textile materials, biodegradation and composting chemistry, and supply chain logistics modelling. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compost

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin compostum, from Latin, neuter of compositus, compostus, past participle of componere

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of compost was in 1587

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compost. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compost

noun

com·post

ˈkäm-ˌpōst

: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as plant debris) used for fertilizing and conditioning land

compost

noun

verb

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

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compost

noun

verb

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing compost

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on compost

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