compass

American  

[kuhm-puhs] / ˈkʌm pəs /

noun

• compasses
  plural

1. an instrument for determining directions, as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.

2. the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter.

   You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.

3. 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.

4. Also called range.  the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.

5. due or proper limits; moderate bounds.

   Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.

6. a passing round; circuit.

   the compass of a year.

7. 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.

8. Astronomy.

   1. Also called Mariner's Compass.  Compass. the constellation Pyxis.

   2. Compasses, the constellation Circinus.

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adjective

1. curved; forming a curve or arc: compass roof.

   a compass timber;

   compass roof.

verb (used with object)

• compasses,
  present (3rd person singular)
• compassed,
  past participle,  past
• compassing
  present participle

1. to go or move round; make the circuit of.

   It would take a week to compass his property on foot.

2. to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle.

   An old stone wall compasses their property.

3. to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.

   To have compassed this task in the limited time available is no mean achievement.

4. to contrive; plot; scheme.

   to compass a treacherous plan.

5. to make curved or circular.

6. to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind.

   His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.

compass British  

/ ˈkʌmpəs /

noun

1. an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot

2. 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

3. limits or range

   within the compass of education

4. music the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument

5. archaic a circular course

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verb

1. to encircle or surround; hem in

2. to comprehend or grasp mentally

3. to achieve; attain; accomplish

4. obsolete to plot

compass Scientific  

/ kŭm′pəs /

1. 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.

2. A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end.

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Synonym Usage

See range.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• outcompass
  verb (used with object)
• precompass
  verb (used with object)
• compassable
  adjective
• compassless
  adjective
• uncompassable
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compasses
  plural

Participles

• compassing
  present
• compassed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• compass
  simple
• compasses
  simple
• have compassed
  perfect
• has compassed
  perfect
• am compassing
  progressive
• are compassing
  progressive
• is compassing
  progressive
• have been compassing
  perfect progressive
• has been compassing
  perfect progressive

Past

• compassed
  simple
• had compassed
  perfect
• was compassing
  progressive
• were compassing
  progressive
• had been compassing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will compass
  simple
• will have compassed
  perfect
• will be compassing
  progressive
• will have been compassing
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

compass compasses compassed compassing

Despite her national profile, there remains a nagging suspicion that she lacks an internal compass and the courage of her convictions.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

Walking in these diagonal directions, as well as 5 feet in the straight compass directions, shows that many pairs of dots on this giant chessboard are exactly 5 feet apart.

From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2026

In an era marked by burnout, sedentary lifestyles and rising mental-health struggles, progression offers a practical compass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026

But these thoughts are known as ego-dystonic, which means they are in direct conflict with that person's beliefs and moral compass.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

And with all the strength and desperation of his fear, Rowan hurled the compass at that white, tender target.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Guided by phosphorescent compasses strapped to their wrists, the divers reached the ship in just a few minutes.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

Dr. Sharvit speculated that, lacking compasses, astrolabes or sextants, seafarers in the 14th century B.C. probably relied on celestial navigation, taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2024

So many of the technologies that we know today were stolen from China by the West, such as porcelain, gunpowder, compasses and bank deposit insurance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

From compasses and electric motors to generators -- these and other devices would not exist without ferromagnetism.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2023

Tear-shaped, white with black numbers, the compasses have a drawing of the Kaaba stone at the center.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

“Wild Swans” would seem to have laid bare every cruel irony of the volatile times it compassed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026

The "great tracts of land" he imagines "compassed about with heavens fair" are not necessarily those of Eden.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 20, 2010

Said 80-year-old Sir J. J. Thomson, famed discoverer of the electron, who once was Rutherford's teacher: ''His work was so great that it cannot be compassed in a few words.

From Time Magazine Archive

Manchu China en compassed all of Mongolia, Korea and Taiwan.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Many sorrows shall be to the wicked, but they that trust in the Lord," though they are weak, and foolish, and imperfect, "shall be compassed about with mercy."

From The Little Gleaner, Vol. X. A Monthly Magazine for the Young by Various

This manifestation, sixteen years after the mutiny at Cavite, seems to have had some relation to that event, for the petition accused the friars of compassing the death of Father Burgos, by subornation of justice.

From The Inhabitants of the Philippines by Frederic H. Sawyer

And they saw the camp of the Gentiles strong and fortified, and horsemen compassing it round about; and these were expert in war.

From The Bible Story by Newton Marshall Hall

Perhaps no more faithful and graphic presentation of the diplomacy that is employed in compassing a second marriage can be given than is found in the proceedings of Perthes.

From A New Atmosphere by Gail Hamilton

But Mr. Scrope has his refinements, and, besides that he spares himself, would take a particular pleasure in compassing my ruin at the same time that he outwitted you.'

From Parson Kelly by Andrew Lang

The overt act relied on to convict him of "levying war" and "compassing the death of our Lord the King," was membership of a Reform society!

From The Trial of Theodore Parker For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence by Theodore Parker