comprise

[ kuhm-prahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, com·prised, com·pris·ing.

1. to include or contain:

   The Soviet Union comprised several socialist republics.

2. to consist of; be composed of:

   The advisory board comprises six members.

3. to form or constitute:

   Seminars and lectures comprised the day's activities.

comprise

/ kəmˈpraɪz /

verb

1. to include; contain
2. to constitute the whole of; consist of

   her singing comprised the entertainment

Usage

The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of ) 500 000 books and manuscripts

Derived Forms

• comˈprisal, noun
• comˈprisable, adjective

Other Words From

• com·pris·a·ble adjective
• com·pris·al noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprise¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English comprisen, from Middle French compris (past participle of comprendre ), from Latin comprehēnsus; comprehension

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprise¹

C15: from French compris included, understood, from comprendre to comprehend

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be comprised of, to consist of; be composed of:

   The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores.

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

African Americans make up only 12 percent of the population but comprise 44 percent of HIV cases.

From The Daily Beast

Africans comprise the vast majority of peacekeepers in civil conflict on that continent.

From The Daily Beast

But in California Hispanics comprise 23 percent of the electorate versus just over 12 percent nationally.

From The Daily Beast

The brigade in the footage is said to comprise about 20 French nationals and 20 Belgians.

From The Daily Beast

Occasionally a political link or note appears, but they hardly comprise the bulk of the posts.

From The Daily Beast

The symptoms may comprise not only a diversity of physical ailments, but intellectual disturbances of the most terrible import.

From Project Gutenberg

They were certainly considered as an inferior body of burgesses, and might comprise three classes.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a ruddy cottage from fluted tiling down to the grass, and sufficiently large to comprise two tenements now.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to comprise so thoroughly both the spirit and the letter of discipline.

From Project Gutenberg

A few words about the Yolofs and Mandingoes comprise all there is to learn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amount to
• compose
• constitute
• contain
• cover
• encompass
• form
• hold
• include
• involve
• span