compost

[kom-pohst]

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of compost¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of compost¹

C14: from Old French compost, from Latin compositus put together; see _composite

Example Sentences

"Everything you'd need to start exploring fungi and computing could be as small as a compost heap and some homemade electronics, or as big as a culturing factory with pre-made templates," said LaRocco.

Read more on Science Daily

Leaves provide all three, whether you leave them where they fall, scatter them in perennial beds or put them in a compost pile.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 27-year-old urban ecologist and biodiversity educator, originally from New Jersey, has spent the last five years working in composting and native gardening.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If your hatred for the show burns hotter than your oven’s broiler, there’s a brisk business in finding creative new ways to heap verbal compost on the titular host and all her endeavors.

Read more on Salon

Miraculously, the first ring was quickly discovered after Mr Van Ysseldyk recognised some sausages that his family had thrown out with their compost.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• fertilizer