compost

1 of 2

noun

com·​post ˈkäm-ˌpōst How to pronounce compost (audio)
 especially British  -ˌpäst
1
: a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land
2

compost

2 of 2

verb

composted; composting; composts

transitive verb

: to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost
compostable adjective
composter noun

Examples of compost in a Sentence

Verb We compost leaves in our backyard.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Design elements include rainwater capture, native and climate-appropriate plants, plants for habitat, efficient irrigation, permeable paving and the utilization of compost and mulch. Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 About 25-30 bears live in the hills surrounding the piles of compost, concrete, and garbage at the landfill. The Aspen Times, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Get them in the ground while the weather is still cool, adding compost and a good layer of compost around the plant. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024 Fertilizer Rather than feeding the plant a commercial fertilizer, apply a 2-inch layer of compost around the plants every spring. Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024 If dry and clay-like, consider adding a layer of compost. Noor Adatia, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 Dress your pot with a power shot of compost, or a liquid fertilizer such as liquid kelp. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 Plant nutrition consists of fertilizers applied in spring as well as manure or compost. Barb Sands, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2024 According to Hoffman’s application to the commission, the compound uses a system design that includes grey water and blackwater recycling, compost toilets and worm composting facilities. Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024
Verb
The Upper Pond unit has a composting toilet and the Bonbibi unit relies on access to the bathhouse’s toilets and showers. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Other eco-friendly burial options include human composting (placing the body in a chamber with natural materials, accelerating decomposition even more), and alkaline hydrolysis (using alkaline chemicals to break down a body in a chamber of water). Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 Join 8 others in the comments View Comments As with dry composting toilets, RecoLab extracts nitrogen and phosphorus from human waste — as well as from food compost — and turns them into fertilizer pellets at a nearby factory. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 The dry composting method will be familiar to those with off-grid homes. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 Human composting is the practice of decomposing human remains like any other organic matter and turning it into soil that can be returned to the family or used for land. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2024 The message will focus on the importance of reusing, upcycling and composting. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Once again, composting them and using the finished product to amend soil is the correct approach. Lauren David, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024 According to Hoffman’s application to the commission, the compound uses a system design that includes grey water and blackwater recycling, compost toilets and worm composting facilities. Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of compost was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near compost

Cite this Entry

“Compost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compost. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compost

noun
com·​post
ˈkäm-ˌpōst
: a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as grass) or their products (as coffee grinds) and used for fertilizing and conditioning land
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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