compost

1 of 2

noun

com·​post ˈkäm-ˌpōst 

 especially British  -ˌpäst

1

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

2

: 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

Noun

Trash Cans & Compost Bins Your home's trash cans and compost bins are fabulous areas to clean with bleach to kill all the bacteria that's lying around. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025

This tea may also be utilized as a liquid fertilizer and as a compost pile accelerator of decomposition. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2025

Verb

When possible, compost your food scraps to keep them out of the garbage can. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025

Fertile Earth Worm Farm, a commercial composting operation in South Miami-Dade County, picks up the food scraps twice a week, power-washing the bins to keep them from smelling and collecting bugs. —Ashley Miznazi, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing compost

• compost heap
• compost pile

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