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

Last year also saw the release of Uncollected Noise New York, 88-90, a compilation of unreleased Galaxie 500 music. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2025

Only Papercuts, their 2024 compilation, fails to find space inside the top 10 on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart this week. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

While the Pixar aesthetic has driven the public’s ideas about what computer animation looks like, lurking behind it has always been the more ambient vibes of the Mind’s Eye compilations, which Flow owes a sometimes unfortunate, cannabinoid-scented debt to. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025

Here is Newsweek Sports' compilation of the Top 10 center fielders in MLB: 10. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see compile

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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