compass
Americannoun
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an instrument for determining directions, as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.
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the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter.
You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.
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space within limits; area; extent; range; scope: the broad compass of the novel.
the narrow compass of the strait;
the broad compass of the novel.
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Also called range. the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.
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due or proper limits; moderate bounds.
Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.
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a passing round; circuit.
the compass of a year.
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Often compasses an instrument for drawing or describing circles, measuring distances, etc., consisting generally of two movable, rigid legs hinged to each other at one end (usually used withpair of ).
to spread the legs of a compass and draw a larger circle.
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Astronomy.
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Also called Mariner's Compass. Compass. the constellation Pyxis.
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Compasses, the constellation Circinus.
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adjective
verb (used with object)
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to go or move round; make the circuit of.
It would take a week to compass his property on foot.
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to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle.
An old stone wall compasses their property.
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to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.
To have compassed this task in the limited time available is no mean achievement.
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to compass a treacherous plan.
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to make curved or circular.
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to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind.
His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.
noun
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an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot
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Also called: pair of compasses. (often plural) an instrument used for drawing circles, measuring distances, etc, that consists of two arms, joined at one end, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle
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limits or range
within the compass of education
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music the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument
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archaic a circular course
verb
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to encircle or surround; hem in
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to comprehend or grasp mentally
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to achieve; attain; accomplish
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obsolete to plot
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A device used to determine geographical direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, aligning itself naturally with the Earth's magnetic field so that it points to the Earth's geomagnetic north or south pole.
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A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end.
Related Words
See range.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of compass
First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English compassen, from Old French compasser “to measure,” from unattested Vulgar Latin compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us), “equal step” ( Latin com- com- + pāssus pace 1 ) + -āre verb suffix; (noun) Middle English compas, from Old French, derivative of compasser
Explanation
Long before we had GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, people used a magnetic instrument called a compass for navigation. Some people still use a compass to navigate — usually when their GPS isn’t working. Compass can also refer to another type of instrument, one that’s used for drawing circles; this should be familiar to you if you have ever studied geometry. In addition, compass can mean "range" or "scope." If you decide to hike the Appalachian Trail, using a compass (the navigational kind) should hopefully fall within your compass of ability. If not, we hope you own a reliable GPS.
Vocabulary lists containing compass
Flying High: Aviation Words
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Franklin Roosevelt, "Four Freedoms" (1941)
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Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Compass jumped 27% after the real estate developer reported a surprise first-quarter profit as revenue surged 99% from a year ago to $2.7 billion thanks to the company’s merger with its rival Anywhere.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Compass reported a surprise first-quarter profit with $61 million in adjusted Ebitda and 3 cents per share, leading to a 26.6% stock surge.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Compass likes to bill itself as real estate’s disrupter.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Compass jumped 30% after the real estate developer reported a surprise first-quarter profit as revenue surged 99% from a year ago to $2.7 billion thanks to the company’s merger with its rival Anywhere.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Compass in hand, he hurried along the path toward home.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
