composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
a committee composed of three representatives—
Current Biography
Current Biography
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
composed of many ingredients
c
: to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2
a
: to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
compose a sonnet
b(1)
: to formulate and write (a piece of music)
composed a symphony
(2)
: to compose music for
3
: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
compose their differences
4
: to arrange in proper or orderly form
The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.—Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)
At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.
Examples of compose in a Sentence
She composed a letter to her sister.
He is in his studio composing.
Recent Examples on the Web
For a widow who lost her husband, her only brother and her only daughter in just five months, McCrory is remarkably composed.
—Pamela Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
If folks will volunteer, it can be composed of two- or three-member teams of neighbors patrolling, if possible, at the approximate times these crimes are occurring.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
The two songwriters also composed pitch-perfect theme songs for two sitcoms that debuted within a year of each other – Bewitched (1964) and Gidget (1965).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 18 July 2025
In addition to working with Anderson on the vocals, Gillies also co-wrote the song, and frequent MacFarlane collaborator Joel McNeely composed the two-and-a-half-minute ditty.
—EW.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
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Pamela Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
If folks will volunteer, it can be composed of two- or three-member teams of neighbors patrolling, if possible, at the approximate times these crimes are occurring.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
The two songwriters also composed pitch-perfect theme songs for two sitcoms that debuted within a year of each other – Bewitched (1964) and Gidget (1965).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 18 July 2025
In addition to working with Anderson on the vocals, Gillies also co-wrote the song, and frequent MacFarlane collaborator Joel McNeely composed the two-and-a-half-minute ditty.
—EW.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compose
Cite this Entry
“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compose. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compose
verb
com·pose
kəm-ˈpōz 
composed; composing
1
a
: to form by putting together : fashion
b
: to form the substance of : constitute
a stew composed of many ingredients
c
: to arrange type in order for printing : set
2
: to create by mental or artistic labor
compose a song
3
: to arrange in proper form
4
: to make calm
composed himself
compose your feelings
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