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

Cooper advises enriching the soil with organic matter, like compost or aged manure, to get the right balance of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

Authorities outfitted two of the cubs with tracking collars after the bears started wandering into the town of Jackson to raid garbage cans, compost bins and bird feeders for food. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025

Verb

No one will remember that regulators forced cities to pay for composting food waste or replacing truck fleets, or that stormwater regulators edged some number a little bit lower and caused counties to have to build costly new infrastructure, all billed to ratepayers. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 May 2025

In fact, downtown Maplewood is the nation's first Green Dining District, where businesses promote sustainable practices such as serving fresh, local produce, reducing waste, composting, and recycling. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 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