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

/ 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 Words From

• compost·a·ble adjective
• compost·er 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

She’s been tracking the amount of carbon her farm retains if she adds compost and rarely tills the land.

From Voice of San Diego

A smaller farm like Solidarity can’t afford to both haul the compost from landfills and cover the cost to purchase different specialized equipment to turn it and spread it.

From Voice of San Diego

City residents can pick up some free compost for their own gardens from Miramar Greenery.

From Voice of San Diego

Then the team added a bit of material from either the soil or the compost.

From Science News For Students

The team found 10 organisms — groups of five each from compost and soil — that survived together by breaking down the foam.

From Science News For Students

I departed for the compost heap happy that I was almost done cleaning the chicken coop.

From The Daily Beast

In those parts, garbage must be separated from food compost as well as the usual recycling categories.

From The Daily Beast

Figuring out whether to throw out your lipstick-stained coffee cup in recycling, trash, or compost can be truly maddening.

From The Daily Beast

It is likewise formed daring the decay of animal and vegetable matters, and is consequently evolved from dung and compost heaps.

From Project Gutenberg

Rake up the leaves, and add everything of this kind to the compost heap.

From Project Gutenberg

Why do we not then persuade husbandmen that they should not till land, help it with marl, lime, and compost?

From Project Gutenberg

We cannot let our Lady Joan set forth for field with such a compost of mumpers and tun-barrels as these!

From Project Gutenberg

It's the shell of a compost pit for the hotel that's goin' to be built around here.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fertilizer