compilation
Americannoun
-
the act of compiling.
the compilation of documents.
-
something compiled, as a reference book.
- Synonyms:
- assortment, assemblage, collection
noun
-
something collected or compiled, such as a list, report, etc
-
the act or process of collecting or compiling
Other Word Forms
- compilatory adjective
- precompilation noun
- recompilation noun
Etymology
Origin of compilation
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin compīlatiōn-, stem of compīlātiō; equivalent to compile + -ation
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.”
Vocabulary lists containing compilation
Eleanor & Park
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Amina's Voice
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 3
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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.
The index isn’t just a compilation of the largest U.S. companies, and the largest eligible candidates don’t always get the nod when it’s time to make changes.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
Creators of “Quotidien” are well aware of their reputation overseas, even stoking the flames by posting a compilation video of their celebrity interviews on YouTube in November.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
A double vinyl compilation including Gustavo Santaolalla’s score, plus tracks by generation-defining Mexican rock bands like Control Machete and Café Tacvba, has also been recently released.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Immediately after the announcement, he shared a compilation of all of his on-air insults of the network to YouTube.
From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026
I found a Smiths compilation disc and added it to my mix.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
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.
