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)

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

How to use comprise in a sentence

The Business Roundtable, a non-profit comprised of CEOs of major corporations, declared last year that it was changing its goal to focus on stakeholders.
Why a very conservative Supreme Court will be bad for business | matthewheimer | October 13, 2020 | Fortune
This year more than ever, marketers need a robust view of their market and opportunities comprised of as much relevant, real-time consumer data as possible.
BrightEdge launches market insights and shares updates on new purchasing behaviors | Jim Yu | October 9, 2020 | Search Engine Watch
Broadcom has also committed not to enter into new agreements comprising such terms for a period of seven years.
European antitrust regulators settle with Broadcom a year after ‘interim measures’ flex | Natasha Lomas | October 7, 2020 | TechCrunch
Cloud also facilitates access to automation and AI tools, advances that drive performance in IT operations and network management and generate the data that comprise much of 5G’s intrinsic enterprise value.
5G and the enterprise opportunity | Claire Beatty | October 7, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
The ’ four episodes are structurally different than their predecessors, each clocking in at 90 minutes long and covering three months at a time, rather than the rapid 45-minute slice-of-life snippets that comprise the bulk of the show.
Every episode of Gilmore Girls, ranked | Constance Grady | October 6, 2020 | Vox

Legatus is a non-profit organization comprising more than 4,000 members, including individuals and professional organizations.
After Hobby Lobby, These 82 Corporations Could Drop Birth Control Coverage | Abby Haglage | June 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Perhaps they secretly want Schakowsky, who has represented the district comprising much of Chicago since 1990.
Fringe Factor: Rep Stands by Call for AIDS Quarantine | Caitlin Dickson | March 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Women have made great strides, he argued, for instance now comprising more than half of the students at medical and law schools.
Dear GOP, Stop Talking About Women’s Bodies | Sally Kohn | January 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Comprising a record 19 percent of the electorate, young people were a key demographic.
Why the Youth Vote Mattered in Obama Reelection | Lizzie Crocker, Abby Haglage | November 8, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Archery is growing in popularity as a recreational pursuit, now comprising more than a fifth of hunting licenses sold nationwide.
Paul Ryan’s Bow-Hunting Bump | Rebecca Dana | August 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He sold accommodations for man and beast, the former comprising plenty of whiskey, the latter plenty of hay.
Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward White
At Kotur he held a position of high strategic importance; and he commanded a considerable following, comprising some 2000 horse.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
A beautiful series, comprising six volumes, square 16mo., with eight tinted Engravings in each volume.
Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions | George S. Boutwell
There are upwards of six thousand in our state, comprising about eleven hundred families.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft
A portion, even, of those persons comprising the exceptional cases just enumerated, have not thereby attained to spiritual peace.
The Sexual Life of the Child | Albert Moll

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

Browse