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

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

Releasing 49 studio albums and more than 100 compilation and collaboration albums, she earned the title of "queen of country music."

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

By his own account, Piker is now preparing a defamation suit against Jennings and Salem Media, and possibly Fox News, which cited the same debunked compilation.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026

The Field Notes are a compilation of the reports of seasoned observers who have spent many years afield in their particular areas and have unparalleled knowledge of the normal bird life of the region.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

In searching for that similar feeling on the album, he turned to compilations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 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

The book’s most edifying compilations recount the Soviet people’s unconquerable yearning to live, create and love freely, despite the daily menaces of a police state and deafening propaganda.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025

Her dad had a voice like someone on TV, somebody who would try to sell you record compilations.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

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Related Words

• assortment
• collection

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