compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

 also  -ˌpī-

1

: the act or process of compiling

the annual compilation of data

2

: something compiled

a compilation of hit songs

a compilation of vehicular accident reports

Synonyms

• album
• anthology
• collectanea
• compendium
• florilegium
• miscellany
• reader

Examples of compilation in a Sentence

The CD is a compilation of greatest hits.

the slow compilation of data

Recent Examples on the Web

Greatest Hits, a compilation released a decade after his murder in 1997, has now spent 385 weeks on the Billboard album chart. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025

Brewer, a Hollywood makeup artist, posted an emotional compilation in honor of what would've been Nation's 40th birthday. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Both the track and compilation disc Journey’s Greatest Hits are certified 18 times platinum by the RIAA. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2025

YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s fourth compilation album More Leaks is out. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see compile

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compilation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of compiling

2

: something compiled

especially : a book of materials gathered from other books

Legal Definition

compilation

noun

com·​pi·​la·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈlā-shən 

: a collection of preexisting materials and data so arranged to form a new original work under the law of copyright