compile

verb

com·​pile kəm-ˈpī(-ə)l How to pronounce compile (audio)
compiled; compiling
Synonyms of compile

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of compile

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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
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.
City officials compiled the information after Nelson raised concerns that older neighborhoods had been neglected in favor of newer parts of Roseville. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Janney also compiles plenty of cackles as Polly’s newly sober sister, Silda. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 Students spent the semester examining the statewide propositions on the November ballot, researching their potential effects and compiling their findings into a 268-page report available online. — James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department has compiled a stunning record of losses in its 30 lawsuits demanding state voter rolls — with 26 of those cases, including the one in California, so far dismissed. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compile

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French compiler, from Latin compilare to plunder

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compile was in the 14th century

Rhymes for compile

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Browse Nearby Words

compilatory
compile
compiled
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Cite this Entry

“Compile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compile

verb
com·​pile kəm-ˈpīl How to pronounce compile (audio)
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
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