compilation

American  

[kom-puh-lay-shuhn] / ˌkɒm pəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

• compilations
  plural

1. the act of compiling.

   the compilation of documents.

2. something compiled, as a reference book.

   Synonyms:

   assortment, assemblage, collection

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compilation British  

/ ˌkɒmpɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. something collected or compiled, such as a list, report, etc

2. the act or process of collecting or compiling

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precompilation
  noun
• recompilation
  noun
• compilatory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compilations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of compilation

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin compīlatiōn-, stem of compīlātiō; equivalent to compile + -ation

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Explanation

A compilation is a collection. You might have enough fascinating stories about compasses to publish your own compilation of the best. You'd have to find some other compass enthusiasts to buy it though. Coming from the 15th century Latin compilationem “that which is compiled,” a compilation is a grouping or anthology of similar items. A music compilation brings together different artists and songs on a playlist. One can gather essays on a similar topic to organize a compilation for a book. And as President Franklin D. Roosevelt noted, the Constitution itself is "the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

compilation compilations

However, some fans have fixated on the change, posting compilation videos showing the evolution of her speaking style, external on YouTube.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

This isn’t an epic work but a compilation of comic sketches tied together with heavy thematic string.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Changliu Liu, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, has a YouTube failbot compilation she likes to show students.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

She went on to include it on her 1995 compilation, “I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One.”

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

He was certain that she went to her grave worried about his addiction to compilation meat dishes.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

"The reaction has almost outweighed the moment because the first thing I saw was all of the positive compilations of women in sport," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Robbins expects the Chipmunks to appear on feeds almost like influencers, with clips and compilations of the trio reacting to cultural moments or singing their take on classic songs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Wain didn’t design this film to fit into clip-farmed compilations on TikTok or even one-minute clips on YouTube.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

We bought compilations of the greatest matchups, watched The Ultimate Fighter, developed strong opinions on fighters, rankings, and preferred techniques.

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026

I worked through the Old Testament next, then I read Dad’s books, which were mostly compilations of the speeches, letters and journals of the early Mormon prophets.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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Related Words

• assortment
• collection

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