comprise

[ kuhm-prahyz ]

See synonyms for: comprise comprised comprises comprising on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),com·prised, com·pris·ing.

to include or contain: The Soviet Union comprised several socialist republics.
to consist of; be composed of: The advisory board comprises six members.

to form or constitute: Seminars and lectures comprised the day's activities.

Idioms about comprise

be comprised of, to consist of; be composed of: The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores.

Origin of comprise

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English comprisen, from Middle French compris (past participle of comprendre ), from Latin comprehēnsus; see comprehension

synonym study For comprise

1. See include.

word story For comprise

Comprise has had an interesting history of sense development. In addition to its original senses, dating from the 15th century, “to include” and “to consist of ” ( The United States of America comprises 50 states ), comprise has had since the late 18th century the meaning “to form or constitute” ( Fifty states comprise the United States of America ). Since the late 19th century it has also been used in passive constructions with a sense synonymous with that of one of its original meanings “to consist of, be composed of ”: The United States of America is comprised of 50 states. These later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing.

Other words from comprise

com·pris·a·ble, adjective
com·pris·al, noun

Words that may be confused with comprise

compose, comprise (see usage note at the current entry)

Words Nearby comprise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use comprise in a sentence

For agencies that means an in-house team with specialized roles and, for some, an extended, outsourced team comprised of freelance collaborators — usually, for more content development, graphic design etc.
How would an SEO agency be built today? Part 2: Current business model(s) | Sponsored Content: SEOmonitor | September 16, 2020 | Search Engine Land
Apple describes the orb as “a first-of-its-kind, all-glass dome structure that is fully self-supported, comprised of 114 pieces of glass with only 10 narrow vertical mullions for structural connection.”
Apple’s ‘most ambitious’ new store is a departure from its signature design | claychandler | September 8, 2020 | Fortune
The tens of millions who comprise the nation’s shrinking middle class are finding it ever harder to obtain, and maintain, well-paying jobs with the kinds of wages and benefits that would allow them to pursue their own American dreams.
Kenosha’s unusual economic evolution made it the perfect political flashpoint | reymashayekhi | September 5, 2020 | Fortune
The organization also has a short list of launch partners, comprising media outlets and event producers like Fast Company and Startup Grind.
All Raise fights ‘manels’—all-male panels—with the launch of its own speakers bureau | Michal Lev-Ram, writer | September 1, 2020 | Fortune
The Rotisserie Baseball League, being based in Manhattan and comprised of Manhattan media elites, quickly gained attention.
The Economics of Sports Gambling (Ep. 388 Rebroadcast) | Stephen J. Dubner | August 20, 2020 | Freakonomics

African Americans make up only 12 percent of the population but comprise 44 percent of HIV cases.
Dissed By Her Doctor for Wanting HIV Protection | Heather Boerner | September 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Africans comprise the vast majority of peacekeepers in civil conflict on that continent.
Why the US-Africa Summit Was Important and Why It Wasn't Enough | John Prendergast | August 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But in California Hispanics comprise 23 percent of the electorate versus just over 12 percent nationally.
The GOP’s Long, Hard Road in California | Stuart Stevens | May 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The brigade in the footage is said to comprise about 20 French nationals and 20 Belgians.
French and Belgian Jihadists Boast About the Syrians They Slaughter | Tracy McNicoll | March 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Occasionally a political link or note appears, but they hardly comprise the bulk of the posts.
Ten Years On, Facebook Has Changed Politics | Kristen Soltis Anderson | February 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The symptoms may comprise not only a diversity of physical ailments, but intellectual disturbances of the most terrible import.
A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy | Alexander Hughes Bennett
They were certainly considered as an inferior body of burgesses, and might comprise three classes.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds | Francis Aiden Hibbert
This is a ruddy cottage from fluted tiling down to the grass, and sufficiently large to comprise two tenements now.
William Bradford of Plymouth | Albert Hale Plumb
It seemed to comprise so thoroughly both the spirit and the letter of discipline.
A Boswell of Baghdad | E. V. Lucas
A few words about the Yolofs and Mandingoes comprise all there is to learn.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers | Jules Verne

British Dictionary definitions for comprise

comprise

/ (kəmˈpraɪz) /

verb(tr)

to include; contain
to constitute the whole of; consist of: her singing comprised the entertainment

Origin of comprise

C15: from French compris included, understood, from comprendre to comprehend

usage For comprise

The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of) 500 000 books and manuscripts

Derived forms of comprise

comprisable, adjective
comprisal, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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