Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense compounds, present participle compounding, past tense, past participle compoundedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (kɒmpaʊnd). The verb is pronounced (kəmpaʊnd).
1. countable noun
A compound is an enclosed area of land that is used for a particular purpose.
Police fired on them as they fled into the embassy compound.
...a military compound.
2. countable noun
In chemistry, a compound is a substance that consists of two or more elements.
Organic compounds contain carbon in their molecules.
Synonyms: combination, mixture, blend, composite More Synonyms of compound
3. countable noun [usually singular]
If something is a compoundof different things, it consists of those things.
[formal]
Salt in its essential form is a compound of sodium and chlorine. [+ of]
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Compound is used to indicate that something consists of two or more parts or things.
...a tall shrub with shiny compound leaves.
...the compound microscope.
Synonyms: complex, multiple, composite, conglomerate More Synonyms of compound
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
In grammar, a compound noun, adjective, or verb is one that is made up of two or more words, for example 'fire engine', 'bottle-green', and 'force-feed'.
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
In grammar, a compound sentence is one that is made up of two or more main clauses. Compare complex, , simple.
7. verb
To compound a problem, difficulty, or mistake means to make it worse by adding to it.
[formal]
Additional bloodshed and loss of life will only compound the tragedy. [VERB noun]
The problem is compounded by the medical system here. [beVERB-ed + by]
Synonyms: intensify, add to, complicate, worsen More Synonyms of compound
More Synonyms of compound
English Easy Learning GrammarCompound nounsA compound noun is a noun that is formed from two or more words. The meaning of thewhole compound is often different from the meaning of the two words ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarSentences and clausesA clause is a group of words which contains a verb. The verb in a clause can be finite Use this pan for the pasta. He missed the turnoff. or non-finite. To ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarVerbsVerbs are words that allow us to talk about activities, processes, states of being,and states of mind. This basket holds quite a lot. John was reading ... Read more
compound in British English1
noun (ˈkɒmpaʊnd)
1.
a substance that contains atoms of two or more chemical elements held together by chemical bonds
2.
any combination of two or more parts, aspects, etc
3.
a word formed from two existing words or combining forms
verb (kəmˈpaʊnd)(mainly tr)
4.
to mix or combine so as to create a compound or other product
5.
to make by combining parts, elements, aspects, etc
to compound a new plastic
6.
to intensify by an added element
his anxiety was compounded by her crying
7. finance
to calculate or pay (interest) on both the principal and its accrued interest
8. (also intr)
to come to an agreement in (a quarrel, dispute, etc)
9. (also intr)
to settle (a debt, promise, etc) for less than what is owed; compromise
10. law
to agree not to prosecute in return for a consideration
to compound a crime
11. electrical engineering
to place duplex windings on the field coil of (a motor or generator), one acting as a shunt, the other being in series with the main circuit, thus making the machine self-regulating
adjective (ˈkɒmpaʊnd)
12.
composed of or created by the combination of two or more parts, elements, etc
13.
(of a word) consisting of elements that are also words or productive combining forms
14.
(of a sentence) formed by coordination of two or more sentences
15.
(of a verb or the tense, mood, etc, of a verb) formed by using an auxiliary verb in addition to the main verb
the future in English is a compound tense involving the use of such auxiliary verbsas 'shall' and 'will'
16. music
a.
denoting a time in which the number of beats per bar is a multiple of three
six-four is an example of compound time
b.
(of an interval) greater than an octave
17. zoology another word for colonial (sense 6)
18.
(of a steam engine, turbine, etc) having multiple stages in which the steam or working fluid from one stage is used in a subsequent stage
19.
(of a piston engine) having a turbocharger powered by a turbine in the exhaust stream
Derived forms
compoundable (comˈpoundable)
adjective
compounder (comˈpounder)
noun
Word origin
C14: from earlier compounen, from Old French compondre to collect, set in order, from Latin compōnere
compound in British English2
(ˈkɒmpaʊnd)
noun
1.
(esp formerly in South Africa) an enclosure, esp on the mines, containing the living quarters for Black workers
2.
any similar enclosure, such as a camp for prisoners of war
3.
(formerly in India, China, etc) the enclosure in which a European's house or factory stood
Word origin
C17: by folk etymology (influenced by compound1) from Malay kampong village
compound in American English1
(kɑmˈpaʊnd; ˈkɑmˌpaʊnd; kəmˈpaʊnd; for adj. usually & for n. always, ˈkɑmˌpaʊnd)
verb transitive
1.
to mix or combine
2.
to make by combining parts or elements
3.
to settle by mutual agreement; specif., to settle (a debt) by a compromise payment of less than the total claim
4.
to compute (interest) on the sum of the principal and the accumulated interest which has accrued at regular intervals
interest compounded semiannually
5.
to increase or intensify by adding new elements
to compound a problem
verb intransitive
6.
to agree
7.
to compromise with a creditor
8.
to combine and form a compound
adjective
9.
made of two or more separate parts or elements
noun
10.
a thing formed by the mixture or combination of two or more parts or elements
11.
a substance containing two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions
see also mixture
12.
a word composed of two or more base morphemes, whether hyphenated or not
English compounds are usually distinguished from phrases by reduced stress on oneof the elements and by changes in meaning (Ex.: blackʹbird, blackʹ birdʹ; grandʹ-aunt, grandʹ auntʹ)
Idioms:
compound a felony (or crime)
Word origin
ME compounen < OFr compon(d)re, to arrange, direct < L componere, to put together: see composite
compound in American English2
(ˈkɑmˌpaʊnd)
noun
1.
kampong
2.
an enclosed space with a building or group of buildings within it
Word origin
Anglo-Ind < Malay kampong, enclosure
compound in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(kɒmpaʊnd)
Word forms: (regular plural) compounds
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Administration)
A compound is a mixture of substances producing another substance.
Fluorocarbons are compounds consisting of fluorine and carbon.
Set up a reaction of iron and sulfur to form a chemical compound.
A compound is a mixture of substances producing another substance.
Examples of 'compound' in a sentence
compound
He compounded this problem when he made clear that he wanted the deal done quickly.
The Sun (2017)
But I will benefit from the wonder of compound interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The veg, which many find bitter, contains a compound found to hold back signs of ageing.
The Sun (2016)
Because a borrower typically doesn't make repayments on the loan, interest compounds rapidly and can become so large it swallows the equity in the property.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The modest gearing of the trust has also compounded losses.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Avoiding what makes us anxious then compounds our anxiety and contributes to an increase in our difficulties.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The reports said that the strike had targeted a vehicle and a compound in the area.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Smaller houses in the compound were for guards and workers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When they combine they make a compound verb.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This compound is one of a number of products being promoted by companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The new chemical compound was successful in tests on mice.
The Sun (2016)
The problem was compounded by the difficulty of finding positions at sea.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Our next step was to show that discounting is a process of compound interest.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of compounds which contain carbon.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
And being starved of carbon dioxide obviously compounds the problem.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
The problem is compounded if the church meets in rented facilities.
Christianity Today (2000)
The question is how quickly new compounds can come through and take up the slack.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It was also linked to compounds which can cause cancer and asthma.
The Sun (2016)
It said the impact could be compounded if other areas of economic weakness emerge.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most pharmaceuticals are formed from a purified chemical compound.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The difficulty is compounded by the fact that we can't see well in the dark either.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
compound
British English: compound NOUN
A compound is an enclosed area of land that is used for a particular purpose.
They took refuge in the embassy compound.
American English: compound
Brazilian Portuguese: complexo
Chinese: 作特定用途的围地
European Spanish: recinto
French: enceinte
German: Gelände
Italian: recinto
Japanese: 構内
Korean: 특정 용도의 부지
European Portuguese: área delimitada
Latin American Spanish: recinto
British English: compound ADJECTIVE
Compound is used to indicate that something consists of two or more parts or things.
...a tall shrub with shiny compound leaves.
American English: compound
Brazilian Portuguese: composto
Chinese: 复合的
European Spanish: compuesto
French: composé
German: zusammengesetzt
Italian: composto
Japanese: 複数の要素から成る
Korean: 합성의
European Portuguese: composto
Latin American Spanish: compuesto
British English: compound VERB
To compound a problem, difficulty, or mistake means to make it worse by adding to it.
Additional loss of life will only compound the tragedy.
American English: compound
Brazilian Portuguese: agravar
Chinese: 加剧
European Spanish: agravar
French: aggraver
German: verschlimmern
Italian: peggiorare
Japanese: 悪化させる
Korean: 악화시키다
European Portuguese: agravar
Latin American Spanish: agravar
All related terms of 'compound'
compound eye
the convex eye of insects and some crustaceans , consisting of numerous separate light-sensitive units ( ommatidia )
compound leaf
a leaf consisting of two or more leaflets borne on the same leafstalk
compound lens
a lens consisting of more than one component lens
compound time
→ compound meter
compound tone
(in acoustic analysis ) a sound composed of several sinusoidal waveforms superimposed upon one main one
compound wall
A wall is a long narrow vertical structure made of stone or brick that surrounds or divides an area of land.
compound animal
any animal, such as most hydroids , corals , and bryozoans , composed of a number of individuals produced by budding from a single parent and usually so fused together that no demarcation is clearly distinguishable
compound engine
a steam engine in which the steam is expanded in more than one stage , first in a high-pressure cylinder and then in one or more low-pressure cylinders
compound fault
a series of closely spaced faults
compound flower
a flower head made up of many small flowers appearing as a single bloom , as in the daisy
compound meter
any time signature in which the upper figure is a multiple of 3, as 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, etc.
compound number
a quantity expressed in two or more different but related units
nitro compound
any one of a class of usually organic compounds that contain the monovalent group -NO 2 ( nitro group or radical ), linked to a carbon atom. The commonest example is nitrobenzene , C 6 H 5 NO 2
onium compound
type of chemical salt
solid compound
a word formed from two or more other words or elements , written or printed as single word without a hyphen
aromatic compound
an organic compound that contains one or more benzene or equivalent heterocyclic rings: many such compounds have an agreeable odor
compound fraction
→ complex fraction
compound fracture
A compound fracture is a fracture in which the broken bone sticks through the skin.
compound interest
Compound interest is interest that is calculated both on an original sum of money and on interest which has previously been added to the sum. Compare → simple interest .
compound pendulum
Physics See physical pendulum
compound sentence
a sentence containing at least two coordinate clauses
cutting compound
a mixture, such as oil, water, and soap , used for cooling drills and other cutting tools
oxonium compound
type of salt derived from an organic ether
rooting compound
a substance, usually a powder , containing auxins in which plant cuttings are dipped in order to promote root growth
sandwich compound
any of a class of organometallic compounds whose molecules have a metal atom or ion bound between two plane parallel organic rings
spackling compound
spackle
sulfonium compound
any one of a class of salts derived by the addition of a proton to the sulphur atom of a thiol or thio-ether thus producing a positive ion ( sulphonium ion )
compound microscope
an instrument for magnifying small objects, consisting of a lens of short focal length for forming an image that is further magnified by a second lens of longer focal length
coordination compound
made up of various interconnected parts; composite
sulphonium compound
any one of a class of salts derived by the addition of a proton to the sulphur atom of a thiol or thio-ether thus producing a positive ion ( sulphonium ion )
compound the problem
A problem is a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people.
multi-ringed compound
A multi-ringed compound is a compound which has 70 or more carbon atoms , often a residual compound.
compound annual return
the total return available from an investment , deposit , etc, when the interest earned is used to augment the capital
quaternary ammonium compound
a type of ionic compound that can be regarded as derived from ammonium compounds by replacing the hydrogen atoms with organic groups
compound a felony (or crime)
to agree, for a bribe or repayment, not to inform about or prosecute for a felony (or crime): it is an illegal act
caulk
to stop up ( cracks , crevices , etc) with a filler
composite function
a function obtained from two given functions, where the range of one function is contained in the domain of the second function, by assigning to an element in the domain of the first function that element in the range of the second function whose inverse image is the image of the element
car
A car is a motor vehicle with room for a small number of passengers.
VOC
volatile organic compound: one of a number of chemicals, including benzene and acetone , that evaporate or vaporize readily and are harmful to human health and the environment
complex fraction
a fraction in which the numerator or denominator or both contain fractions
lens
A lens is a thin curved piece of glass or plastic used in things such as cameras , telescopes , and pairs of glasses. You look through a lens in order to make things look larger, smaller, or clearer.
physical pendulum
any apparatus consisting of a body of possibly irregular shape allowed to rotate freely about a horizontal axis on which it is pivoted ( distinguished from simple pendulum )