compile
verb
com·pile
kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l 
compiled; compiling
1
: to compose out of materials from other documents
compile a statistical chart
2
: to collect and edit into a volume
compile a book of poems
3
: to build up gradually
compiled a record of four wins and two losses
4
: to run (something, such as a program) through a compiler
Examples of compile in a Sentence
He compiled a book of poems.
She compiled a list of names.
They took the best submissions and compiled them in a single issue of the magazine.
We compiled our findings in the report.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of the underlying facts that Republicans have routinely used to call for reforming schooling in the U.S. have relied on data compiled or funded by the agency's research apparatus.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
The list was compiled with a reported 1,695 players voting on categories such as ownership, head coach, team travel, locker room, training room, and more.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Disney retained its spot atop the rankings of TV distributors in January, recording its highest share of viewing in the year-plus Nielsen has been compiling such figures.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
It was created in the wake of US involvement in the Vietnam War, during which time the FBI had been compiling dossiers on anti-war activists.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compile
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.
Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
The list was compiled with a reported 1,695 players voting on categories such as ownership, head coach, team travel, locker room, training room, and more.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Disney retained its spot atop the rankings of TV distributors in January, recording its highest share of viewing in the year-plus Nielsen has been compiling such figures.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
It was created in the wake of US involvement in the Vietnam War, during which time the FBI had been compiling dossiers on anti-war activists.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compile
Cite this Entry
“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compile
verb
com·pile
kəm-ˈpīl
compiled; compiling
1
: to collect into a volume or list
compile a book of poems
2
: to put together in a new form out of materials from other books or documents
compile a history of India
3
: to translate (as a computer program) with a compiler
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share