compound

C3O1M3P3O1U1N1D2
UK/ˈkɒmpaʊnd//ˈkɑmpaʊnd/Australia/ˈkɔmpæɔnd/New Zealand/ˈkɒmpæʊnd/

noun

An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.

Opposite
CommonScrabble 15

Meanings

compound1

nouncompound (plural compounds)

plural compounds

  1. An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.

    Synonyms: gaol, jail, pen, pound, prison

  2. An enclosure for secure storage.

    A total of 75 cycle spaces are being installed at three Greater Anglia stations - [...]. And a secure compound for bicycles is being built at Cambridge North.

    2020 December 2, “Network News: News in brief: More cycle spaces”, in Rail, page 27
    1 more example

    A separate building on the west side will house a standby powerhouse and a workshop, and there will be an unroofed compound for compressed air cylinders and water tanks.

    1960 May 28, “New Signalbox at Manchester Victoria”, in Railway Magazine, page 310
  3. A group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices.

    Some 20 supporters managed to get inside the court compounds. About half an hour after the verdict was delivered, they gathered near the Constitutional Court entrance and shouted: "On March 24, use your pen to oust the dictator."

    2019 March 7, Yuda Masayuki, “Thai court: pro-Thaksin party must disband for nominating princess”, in Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei Inc, retrieved 07 Mar 2019
    1 more example

    Shepard: What kind of proof do you have that the major is dangerous? Transmission: Three days ago, we sent two Alliance representatives to meet with him at his compound. They have disappeared. We believe Kyle and his followers killed them. Transmission: That compound is a cult, Shepard. They call him 'Father Kyle' now. He's set himself up as some kind of religious leader.

    2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Normandy SR-1
  4. PhilippinesbroadlyA group of buildings where members of the same extended family live together.

compound2

adjectivecompound (not comparable)
  1. not comparableComposed of elements; not simple.

    a compound word

    2 more examples

    "Sunken" is no longer used as part of a compound passive verb.

    Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances.

    1725, Isaac Watts, Logick: Or, The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry after Truth, […], 2nd edition, London: […] John Clark and Richard Hett, […], Emanuel Matthews, […], and Richard Ford, […], published 1726, →OCLC

    Synonyms: composite · Antonyms: simple

  2. not comparablemathematicsDealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process.

    compound addition

    1 more example

    compound proportion

  3. not comparableentertainmentAn octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).
nouncompound (plural compounds)

plural compounds

  1. Anything made by combining several things.

    Synonyms: amalgam, blend, combination, composite, mix, mixture

  2. chemistryA substance formed by chemical bonding of two or more elements in definite proportions by weight.
  3. datedchemistryA substance made from any combination of ingredients.

    A compound of spurge, cardamom, cinnamon of Mecca, pellitory, ginger, nettle seed is an Arab specific for sexual weakness.

    1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 228
  4. lawA legal procedure whereby a criminal or delinquent avoids prosecution in a court in exchange for his payment to the authorities of a financial penalty or fine.
  5. human sciencesA lexeme that consists of more than one stem.

    Compositionally there is no great distinction between cell wall and cell surface, both are relatively transparent compounds, but both parts of the cell are of high significance in Biology due to their central role in cell functioning.

    2018, Clarence Green, James Lambert, “Position vectors, homologous chromosomes and gamma rays: Promoting disciplinary literacy through Secondary Phrase Lists”, in English for Specific Purposes, →DOI, page 8

    Synonyms: compound word

  6. human sciencesA lexeme that consists of more than one stem or affix, e.g. "bookshop", "high school" or "non-standard".

    In the majority of the compounds of non- the hyphen is usually retained; but it is commonly omitted in the case of a few, such as nonconformist, nonentity, nonsense, in which the etymology has been to some extent lost sight of.

    1989, OED2
  7. rail transportA compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.

    From a dead stand, with regulator full open and the lever at about 50 per cent we got up to about 60 m.p.h. by the top of the bank. The big compound was making plenty of noise - but what musical and wonderful noise!

    1961 March, ""Balmore"", “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives”, in Trains Illustrated, page 148
  8. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of compound exercise.
verbcompound (third-person singular simple present compounds, present participle compounding, simple past and past participle compounded)

present singular third person compounds · participle present compounding · participle past compounded · past compounded

  1. transitiveTo form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else.

    to compound a medicine

    4 more examples

    Only compound me with forgotten dust.

    c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]

    We have the power of altering[…] and compounding those images[…] into all the varieties of picture.

    1712 July 1 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “FRIDAY, June 21, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 411; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

    incapacitating him from successfully compounding a tale of this sort

    1819 December 20 (indicated as 1820), Walter Scott, Ivanhoe; a Romance. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC

    In eighteenth century France, many aphrodisiac dishes and pastries were compounded with chocolate.

    1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 62

    Synonyms: admix, amalgamate, bemingle, blend, combine, commingle, intermingle, intermix

  2. transitivelawTo settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.

    to compound a debt

    Synonyms: settle

  3. transitiveTo settle amicably; to adjust by agreement.

    I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

    1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]
    1 more example

    No! no—if Charles has done nothing false or mean, I shall compound for his extravagance

    1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, II.iii

    Synonyms: compromise

  4. intransitiveTo come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise.

    to compound with someone / for something

    4 more examples

    Here's a fellow will help you to-morrow; […] compound with him by the year.

    c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

    They were at last glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower.

    1702–1704, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, (please specify |book=I to XVI), in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the [Sheldonian] Theater

    [Cornwall] compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmas for thirty pounds.

    1609, Richard Carew, The Survey of Cornwall, London: […] S[imon] S[tafford] for Iohn Iaggard, […], →OCLC

    Compound for sins they are inclined to / By damning those they have no mind to.

    1662 (indicated as 1663), [Samuel Butler], “[The First Part of Hudibras]”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1905, →OCLC

    Synonyms: agree, agree, accord, meet, coexist, cohere, coincide, comport

  5. obsoletetransitiveTo compose; to constitute.

    his pomp and all what state compounds

    c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

    Synonyms: compose, comprise, constitute, form, indite, make up, represent, upmake

  6. intransitivebusinessTo increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest.
  7. transitiveTo worsen a situation.

    […] This latest example of nationalistic self-interest compounded anger across the EU over Trump’s travel ban, imposed last month without consultation or scientific justification.

    2020 April 12, Simon Tisdall, “US's global reputation hits rock-bottom over Trump's coronavirus response”, in The Guardian

    Synonyms: add fuel to the fire, add insult to injury, cap it all off, fan the flames, make matters worse, throw gasoline on the fire, With malice, hit someone when they are down

  8. intransitivehobbiesOf a horse: to fail to maintain speed.

    At the hill, the Warrior must have been at least ten lengths in front of Wild Dayrell; but he compounded about 200 yards on the T. Y. C. side of the Red House.

    1855, The Sporting Review, volume 34, page 240

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAn enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.

adjectiveComposed of elements; not simple.

Similar
Opposite

nounAnything made by combining several things.

nounA lexeme that consists of more than one stem.

verbTo form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else.

verbTo settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.

Similar

verbTo settle amicably; to adjust by agreement.

Similar

verbTo come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise.

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivecomposed of more than one part

Opposite

adjectiveconsisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or parts

Similar

adjectivecomposed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony

noun(chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight

nouna word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes.

Broader

verbmake more intense, stronger, or more marked

Broader

verbput or add together

Similar
Broader

verbcombine so as to form a whole; mix

Similar

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

compound · noun

  1. Malaykampong
  2. Englishcompound

Possibly from Malay kampong, kampung (“group of buildings, village”), via Dutch or Portuguese, altered under the influence of Etymology 2. Doublet of kampung.

Full word history & related roots →

compound · adjective, noun, verb

  1. Latincom-“together”
  2. Latincomponō
  3. Middle Frenchcomponre
  4. Middle Englishcompounen
  5. Englishcompound

From Middle English compounen, from Middle French componre, compondre (“to put together”), from Latin componō, from Latin com- (“together”) + ponō (“to put”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek μίγμα, μίγμα
  • μίγμα (mígma)composed of elements
  • μίγμα (mígma)anything made by combining several things
Arabic مُرَكَّب
  • مُرَكَّب (murakkab)composed of elements
Bengali যৌগ
  • যৌগ (jougo)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Bulgarian оградено мя́сто, съставен
  • оградено мя́сто (ogradeno mjásto)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • съставен (săstaven)composed of elements
  • сло́жен (slóžen)composed of elements
  • съчета́ние (săčetánie)anything made by combining several things
  • съедине́ние (săedinénie)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • споразумявам се (sporazumjavam se)to come to terms of agreement
  • смесвам (smesvam)to put together
  • съединявам (săedinjavam)to put together
Catalan compost, compost
  • compostcomposed of elements
  • compostanything made by combining several things
  • compostchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Chinese Mandarin 小區 /小区, 混合物
  • 小區 /小区 (xiǎoqū)group of buildings for the same purpose
  • 混合物 (hùnhéwù)composed of elements
  • 化合物 (huàhéwù)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Czech komplex, areál
  • komplexenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • areálgroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • složenýcomposed of elements
  • sloučeninachemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Dutch verbinding, complex
  • verbindingenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • complexgroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • samengesteldcomposed of elements
  • verbindingchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Esperanto kombinita
  • kombinitacomposed of elements
Estonian kompleks
  • kompleksenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
Finnish laitos, rakennuskompleksi
  • laitosenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • rakennuskompleksigroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • yhdistettycomposed of elements
  • yhdys-composed of elements
  • kerrannainencomposed of elements
  • yhdistelmäanything made by combining several things
  • seosanything made by combining several things
  • yhdistechemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • kompromissito come to terms of agreement
  • yhdistääto put together
  • liittääto put together
French complexe, complexe
  • complexeenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • complexegroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • composécomposed of elements
  • composéanything made by combining several things
  • composéchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • composerto put together
German Komplex, Lager
  • Komplexenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • Lagerenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • Blockenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • Geländeenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • Gehegeenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • Komplexgroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • Anwesengroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • Blockgroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • Ensemblegroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • zusammengesetztcomposed of elements
  • zusammengestelltcomposed of elements
  • mehrteiligcomposed of elements
  • mehrschichtigcomposed of elements
  • Mischunganything made by combining several things
  • Verbindunganything made by combining several things
  • Verbunganything made by combining several things
  • Kompositumanything made by combining several things
  • Zusammensetzunganything made by combining several things
  • Präparatanything made by combining several things
  • Masseanything made by combining several things
  • Verbindungchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • sich vergleichenlaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • einen Vergleich schließenlaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • durch Vergleich regelnlaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • übereinkommento come to terms of agreement
  • Übereinkunft treffento come to terms of agreement
  • sich vergleichento come to terms of agreement
  • verschlimmernto worsen a situation
  • erschwerento worsen a situation
  • zusammenstellento put together
  • mischento put together
  • zusammensetzento put together
  • verbindento put together
Greek περίβολος, συγκρότημα
  • περίβολος (perívolos)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • συγκρότημα (sygkrótima)group of buildings for the same purpose
  • σύνθετος (sýnthetos)composed of elements
  • συμμιγής (symmigís)composed of elements
  • μίγμα (mígma)anything made by combining several things
  • κράμα (kráma)anything made by combining several things
  • αμάλγαμα (amálgama)anything made by combining several things
  • ένωση (énosi)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • συμβιβάζω (symvivázo)law: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • συμφωνώ (symfonó)to come to terms of agreement
  • αναμιγνύω (anamignýo)to put together
  • μιγνύω (mignýo)to put together
  • συνθέτω (synthéto)to put together
  • παρασκευάζω (paraskevázo)to put together
Hebrew תרכובת, שִׁלֵּב
  • תרכובת (tirkovet)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • שִׁלֵּב (shilév)to put together
Hindi परिसर, बाड़ा
  • परिसर (parisar)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • बाड़ा (bāṛā)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • परिसर (parisar)group of buildings for the same purpose
  • मिश्रण (miśraṇ)composed of elements
  • मिश्रण (miśraṇ)anything made by combining several things
  • मिश्रण (miśraṇ)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Hungarian fogolytábor, keverék
  • fogolytáborenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • keverékanything made by combining several things
  • vegyületchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • vegyülékchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • elegychemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Icelandic efnasamband
  • efnasambandchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Indonesian senyawa, majemuk
  • senyawacomposed of elements
  • majemukanything made by combining several things
  • senyawachemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Irish clós, bábhún
  • clósenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • bábhúnenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • compúnenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • clósgroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • bábhúngroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • compúngroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • comh-composed of elements
  • cumascanything made by combining several things
  • meascánanything made by combining several things
  • comhdhúilchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • cumascchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Italian campo di prigionìa, complesso
  • campo di prigionìaenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • complessogroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • compostocomposed of elements
  • costituitocomposed of elements
  • compostoanything made by combining several things
  • miscuglioanything made by combining several things
  • amalgamaanything made by combining several things
  • compostochemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • accordarsito come to terms of agreement
  • mettersi d'accordoto come to terms of agreement
  • mettere insiemeto put together
  • comporreto put together
Japanese 化合物
  • 化合物 (kagōbutsu)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Korean 화합물
  • 화합물 (hwahammul)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Lithuanian junginys
  • junginyschemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Malay sebatian
  • sebatianchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Māori takanga, iāri
  • takangaenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • iārienclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • rāiheenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • pūhuicomposed of elements
  • pūhuianything made by combining several things
  • pūhuichemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • whakaputufinance: to increase in value with interest
Norwegian Bokmål sammensatt, forbindelse
  • sammensattcomposed of elements
  • forbindelsechemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Persian آمیخته, همساخته
  • آمیخته (âmixta)composed of elements
  • همساخته (hamsâxta)composed of elements
  • مرکبcomposed of elements
  • آمیخته (âmixta)anything made by combining several things
  • همساخته (hamsâxta)anything made by combining several things
Polish związek
  • związekchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Portuguese cercado, complexo
  • cercadoenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • complexoenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • complexogroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • compostocomposed of elements
  • compostoanything made by combining several things
  • compostochemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • comporto put together
Romanian compus
  • compuschemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Russian огоро́женное ме́сто, компа́унд
  • огоро́женное ме́сто (ogoróžennoje mésto)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • компа́унд (kompáund)enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • ко́мплекс (kómpleks)group of buildings for the same purpose
  • компа́унд (kompáund)group of buildings for the same purpose
  • составно́й (sostavnój)composed of elements
  • сло́жный (slóžnyj)composed of elements
  • соедине́ние (sojedinénije)anything made by combining several things
  • сочета́ние (sočetánije)anything made by combining several things
  • компа́унд (kompáund)anything made by combining several things
  • соедине́ние (sojedinénije)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • соединя́ть (sojedinjátʹ)to put together
  • объединя́ть (obʺjedinjátʹ)to put together
  • сме́шивать (sméšivatʹ)to put together
Slovak zlúčenina
  • zlúčeninachemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Spanish recinto, compuesto
  • recintogroup of buildings for the same purpose
  • compuestocomposed of elements
  • compuestoanything made by combining several things
  • compuestochemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • calcularfinance: to increase in value with interest
  • devengar interesesfinance: to increase in value with interest
  • agravarto worsen a situation
Swedish inhägnad, läger
  • inhägnadenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • lägerenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • gårdenclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
  • sammansattcomposed of elements
  • sammansättninganything made by combining several things
  • blandningchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • föreningchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • sammansatt ämnechemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • biläggalaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • förlikalaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • göra upplaw: to settle by agreeing less than the claim
  • förlikasto come to terms of agreement
  • kompromissato come to terms of agreement
  • nå förlikningto come to terms of agreement
  • träffa avtalto come to terms of agreement
  • träffa överenskommelseto come to terms of agreement
  • blanda (ihop, till, tillsammans)to put together
  • sätta (ihop, samman)to put together
Tagalog langkapin, lambalan
  • langkapincomposed of elements
  • lambalancomposed of elements
  • linambalcomposed of elements
  • balangkapchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Tamil கூட்டு, கலவை
  • கூட்டு (kūṭṭu)composed of elements
  • கலவை (kalavai)anything made by combining several things
  • கலவை (kalavai)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • இணங்கு (iṇaṅku)to come to terms of agreement
  • கல (kala)to put together
Thai สารประกอบ
  • สารประกอบ (sǎan-bprà-gɔ̀ɔp)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Turkish karışım, karışım
  • karışımanything made by combining several things
  • karışımchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
  • mahlutchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Ukrainian сполу́ка
  • сполу́ка (spolúka)chemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements
Vietnamese hợp chất
  • hợp chấtchemistry: substance made by chemical combination of elements

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with compound

All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

compound. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/compound

MLA

“compound.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/compound. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “compound,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/compound.

Source: compound on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.