… a compass of seven days' journey …—2 Kings 3:9 (King James Version)
3
a
: a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north
b
: any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction
c
: an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot—usually used in plural
range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.
the entire range of human experience
gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.
a performance that ran the gamut of emotions
compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.
your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study
sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.
the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity
scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.
as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened
orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.
within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change
Examples of compass in a Sentence
Verb
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth Noun
He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods.
His religion is the compass that guides him.
Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks.
The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence.—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023 It is based on the knowledge that no spoliator can compass his end without a certain degree of co-operation, willing or compulsory, of the victim.—Tridip Suhrud, Time, 25 Sep. 2019
Noun
Her presence comes in every direction like a compass.—Hazlitt, 29 May 2024 And so longing for more knowledge really became a compass.—Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 29 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for compass
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French cumpasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin *compassare to pace off, from Latin com- + passus pace
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