compost

American  

[kom-pohst] / ˈkɒm poʊst /

noun

1. a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.

2. a composition; compound.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to use in compost; make compost of.

   to compost manure and kitchen scraps.

2. to apply compost to (soil).

verb (used without object)

1. to make compost.

   Shredded leaves will compost easily.

compost British  

/ ˈkɒmpɒst /

noun

1. a mixture of organic residues such as decomposed vegetation, manure, etc, used as a fertilizer

2. a mixture, normally of plant remains, peat, charcoal, etc, in which plants are grown, esp in pots

3. rare a compound or mixture

---

verb

1. to make (vegetable matter) into compost

2. to fertilize with compost

compost Scientific  

/ kŏm′pōst′ /

1. A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.

---

Other Word Forms

• compostable
  adjective
• composter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of compost

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French < Latin compositum, noun use of neuter of compositus composite; cf. compote

Explanation

Compost is organic matter like orange peels and coffee grounds mixed together and left to decay, usually in a compost pile, then used as fertilizer. To make such a mixture is to compost. To compost is to make a mixture of organic matter, such as manure and leftover food, and leave it somewhere like a compost pile in the back yard or in a bucket with a tight lid in the kitchen. The mixture is also called compost, and after it sits and decays for a while, voila! It turns into fertilizer that makes the soil rich and the plants happy.

Example Sentences

In a space mission setting, the worms could generate compost from discarded materials such as food scraps or cotton clothing and hygiene products that would otherwise be thrown away.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

Patrick mows the grass in the garden and puts the cuttings on the compost heap.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

In 2023, he asked Marcus Schwarz, a forensic scientist at Leipzig university, to analyze the human compost from his process for toxic products.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

But coyotes aren’t picky: They will eat what’s available including rabbits, raccoons, birds, insects, fruit, vegetables, the contents of your garbage or compost, outdoor pet food and small pets.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

“That Lockhart’s something, isn’t he?” said Justin happily as they began filling their plant pots with dragon dung compost.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• fertilizer