compost

[ kom-pohst ]
See synonyms for compost on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.

  2. a composition; compound.

verb (used with object)
  1. to use in compost; make compost of: to compost manure and kitchen scraps.

  2. to apply compost to (soil).

verb (used without object)
  1. to make compost: Shredded leaves will compost easily.

Origin of compost

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Anglo-French, Middle French <Latin compositum, noun use of neuter of composituscomposite; cf. compote

Other words from compost

  • com·post·a·ble, adjective
  • com·post·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for compost

compost

/ (ˈkɒmpɒst) /


noun
  1. a mixture of organic residues such as decomposed vegetation, manure, etc, used as a fertilizer

  2. a mixture, normally of plant remains, peat, charcoal, etc, in which plants are grown, esp in pots

  1. rare a compound or mixture

verb(tr)
  1. to make (vegetable matter) into compost

  2. to fertilize with compost

Origin of compost

1
C14: from Old French compost, from Latin compositus put together; see composite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for compost

compost

[ kŏmpōst′ ]


  1. A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.

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