compilation

American  

[kom-puh-ley-shuhn] / ˌkɒm pəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

• compilations
  plural

1. the act of compiling.

   the compilation of documents.

2. something compiled, as a reference book.

   Synonyms:

   assortment, assemblage, collection

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compilation British  

/ ˌkɒmpɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. something collected or compiled, such as a list, report, etc

2. the act or process of collecting or compiling

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precompilation
  noun
• recompilation
  noun
• compilatory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compilations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of compilation

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin compīlatiōn-, stem of compīlātiō; equivalent to compile + -ation

Explanation

A compilation is a collection. You might have enough fascinating stories about compasses to publish your own compilation of the best. You'd have to find some other compass enthusiasts to buy it though. Coming from the 15th century Latin compilationem “that which is compiled,” a compilation is a grouping or anthology of similar items. A music compilation brings together different artists and songs on a playlist. One can gather essays on a similar topic to organize a compilation for a book. And as President Franklin D. Roosevelt noted, the Constitution itself is "the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

compilation compilations

By his own account, Piker is now preparing a defamation suit against Jennings and Salem Media, and possibly Fox News, which cited the same debunked compilation.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026

Only one other compilation has ever been nominated for the Mercury Prize – and it was this album's predecessor, Help, back in 1995.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Twenty years after the superb mezzo soprano’s death, Harmonia Mundi has reissued a compilation of her recordings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Russia launched 8,150 long-range drones in May, according to a compilation of daily air force reports, up to 24 percent on the number fired in April.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

He was certain that she went to her grave worried about his addiction to compilation meat dishes.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Robbins expects the Chipmunks to appear on feeds almost like influencers, with clips and compilations of the trio reacting to cultural moments or singing their take on classic songs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Wain didn’t design this film to fit into clip-farmed compilations on TikTok or even one-minute clips on YouTube.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

We bought compilations of the greatest matchups, watched The Ultimate Fighter, developed strong opinions on fighters, rankings, and preferred techniques.

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026

Indeed, the platform is a hot spot for fan-created Snoopy content, from memes featuring the puffer jacket to compilations of his most relatable moments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

I worked through the Old Testament next, then I read Dad’s books, which were mostly compilations of the speeches, letters and journals of the early Mormon prophets.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• assortment
• collection