First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1compound
verb com·pound \käm-ˈpau̇nd, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ\
: to make (something, such as an error or problem) worse : to add to (something bad)
finance : to pay interest on both an amount of money and the interest it has already earned
: to form (something) by combining separate things
Full Definition of COMPOUND
transitive verb
1
: to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine <compound ingredients>
2
: to form by combining parts <compound a medicine>
3
a : to settle amicably : adjust by agreement b : to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense) <compound a felony>
4
a : to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal b : to add to : augment <we compounded our error in later policy — Robert Lekachman>
intransitive verb
1
: to become joined in a compound
2
: to come to terms of agreement
— com·pound·able \-ˈpau̇n-də-bəl, -ˌpau̇n-\ adjective
— com·pound·er noun
See compound defined for English-language learners
See compound defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of COMPOUND
Middle English compounen, from Anglo-French *cumpundre, from Latin componere, from com- + ponere to put — more at position
Related to COMPOUND
Rhymes with COMPOUND
abound, aground, around, astound, background, bloodhound, boozehound, brassbound, break ground, campground, chowhound, clothbound, come round, confound, coonhound, deerhound, deskbound, dumbfound, earthbound, eastbound, elkhound, expound, fairground, fogbound, foot-pound, foreground, foxhound, gain ground, go-round, greyhound, half-bound, hardbound, hellhound, hidebound, high ground, homebound, horehound, housebound, icebound, impound, inbound, ironbound, lose ground, newfound, newshound, northbound, outbound, playground, pot-bound, profound, propound, rebound, redound, renowned, resound, rockbound, rock hound, scent hound, sight hound, sleuthhound, smooth hound, snowbound, softbound, southbound, spellbound, staghound, stone-ground, stormbound, strikebound, surround, to ground, top round, unbound, unround, unsound, well-found, westbound, wolfhound, year-round
2compound
adjective com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd, käm-ˈ, kəm-ˈ\
: made up of two or more parts
: made by combining two or more words
: consisting of two or more main clauses
Full Definition of COMPOUND
1
: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: as a : composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent <a compound plant ovary> b : having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis <a compound leaf>
2
: involving or used in a combination
3
a of a word : constituting a compound b of a sentence : having two or more main clauses
See compound defined for English-language learners
Origin of COMPOUND
Middle English compouned, past participle of compounen
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to COMPOUND
- Synonyms
- amalgamated, composite
- Antonyms
- noncompound, simple
3compound
noun com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd\
Definition of COMPOUND
1
a : a word consisting of components that are words (as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care) b : a word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes
2
: something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially : a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
First Known Use of COMPOUND
1530
4compound
noun com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd\
Definition of COMPOUND
: a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences
Origin of COMPOUND
by folk etymology from Malay kampung group of buildings, village
First Known Use: 1679
COMPOUNDED Defined for Kids
1compound
verb com·pound \käm-ˈpau̇nd\
com·pound·edcom·pound·ing
Definition of COMPOUND for Kids
1
: to form by combining separate things <compound a medicine>
2
: to make worse <compound a problem>
3
: to pay (interest) on both an original amount of money and on the interest it has already earned
2compound
adjective com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd\
Definition of COMPOUND for Kids
: made of or by the union of two or more parts <a compound leaf with three leaflets>
3compound
noun com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd\
Definition of COMPOUND for Kids
1
: a word made up of parts that are themselves words <The words “rowboat” and “hide-and-seek” are compounds.>
2
: something (as a chemical) that is formed by combining two or more parts or elements
4compound
noun com·pound \ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd\
Definition of COMPOUND for Kids
: an enclosed area containing a group of buildings
Learn More About COMPOUND
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: compound animalPrevious Word in the Dictionary: compotusAll Words Near: compound
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up compound? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).