compendium

noun

com·​pen·​di·​um kəm-ˈpen-dē-əm 

plural compendiums or compendia kəm-ˈpen-dē-ə 

1

: a brief summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge : abstract

a one-volume compendium of the multivolume original

2

a

: a list of a number of items

b

: collection, compilation

a compendium of folk tales

Synonyms

• compilation
• anthology

Examples of compendium in a Sentence

a one-volume compendium of information

He published a compendium of folk tales.

Recent Examples on the Web

This book, more think-tank report than scholarly monograph, provides a useful factual compendium of background material about Polish defense policy—although the absence of an index or a digital version remains a major obstacle to its efficient use. —Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

The ban, which was featured in a Park Service compendium of regulations that dated May 20, went into effect after several protests at El Capitan made headlines. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Here’s a compendium of what corporations have specifically said about their experiences. —Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

The numbers here are a compendium from several sources including Lancet, Nature and several public health and weather websites; mileage may vary. —Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, saving, shortcut, from compendere to weigh together, from com- + pendere to weigh — more at pendant

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1