Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for comprise 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. Show More
be comprised of , to consist of; be composed of: The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores. Show More
Origin of comprise 1400–50; late Middle English comprisen <
Middle French compris (past participle of
comprendre ) <
Latin comprehēnsus; see
comprehension Related forms com·pris·a·ble , adjective com·pris·al , noun Can be confused compose comprise (see usage note at the current entry)Usage note 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for comprised involve ,
compose ,
span ,
form ,
cover ,
constitute ,
hold ,
contain ,
encompass ,
include ,
incorporate ,
encircle ,
subsume ,
engross ,
embrace ,
compass ,
embody ,
enclose ,
comprehend Examples from the Web for comprised Contemporary Examples of comprised According to data stretching from 1999 to 2011, African Americans have comprised 26 percent of all police-shooting victims.
The Coalition is comprised of labor unions, anti-war activists, clergy, and so-called black empowerment groups.
The crowd at the matinee showing I went to of Of Mice and Men was comprised of many young kids—mostly female.
After all, the small congregation— about 40 strong —is comprised almost entirely of the Phelps brood.
Sometimes known as telephony metadata, this information is comprised of the time, duration and number dialed of a phone number.
Historical Examples of comprised The substance of a lady's letter, it has been said, always is comprised in the postscript.
Andree, it should be said, was comprised in Ambroise's universal conquest.
Books on Archery, Fencing, and Duelling are also comprised by this heading.
All those not comprised in the foregoing are at liberty to serve as Volunteers.
The law of my being is comprised in the one word—Nunc—the will of the Law be done!'
British Dictionary definitions for comprised to include; contain to constitute the whole of; consist of her singing comprised the entertainment Show More
Derived Forms comprisable , adjective comprisal , noun Word Origin for comprise C15: from French compris included, understood, from comprendre to comprehend
usage The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of ) 500 000 books and manuscripts
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for comprised v. early 15c., "to include," from Old French compris , past participle of comprendre "to contain, comprise" (12c.), from Latin comprehendere (see comprehend ). Related: Comprised ; comprising .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
