composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of composing
specifically
: arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form
the painting's unique composition
b(1)
: the arrangement of type for printing
hand composition
(2)
: the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing
2
3
: mutual settlement or agreement
The two parties came to a composition.
4
: a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
a composition of rubber and cork
5
: an intellectual creation: such as
a
: a piece of writing
especially
: a school exercise in the form of a brief essay
wrote a composition on the role of the police in our society
b
: a written piece of music especially of considerable size and complexity
Her composition for piano and flute was played at the recital.
6
: the quality or state of being compound
7
: the operation of forming a composite function
also
: composite function
compositionally
adverb
Examples of composition in a Sentence
the changing composition of the country's population
the composition of a chemical compound
The teacher reminded us to hand in our compositions at the end of class.
Recent Examples on the Web
Candiani noted that the R&D program is not just about the fabric composition.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
In 2021, the company reached a $41 million settlement with US regulators, which had accused it of making misleading statements about the composition of its reserve.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 12 Aug. 2024
Durham County officials also hope to purchase a machine that can allow drug users to quickly check the composition of their supplies on-site.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2024
How did your experience as a filmmaker influence the composition of the novel?
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for composition 
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
In 2021, the company reached a $41 million settlement with US regulators, which had accused it of making misleading statements about the composition of its reserve.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 12 Aug. 2024
Durham County officials also hope to purchase a machine that can allow drug users to quickly check the composition of their supplies on-site.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2024
How did your experience as a filmmaker influence the composition of the novel?
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for composition
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'composition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
composition
noun
com·po·si·tion
ˌkäm-pə-ˈzish-ən
1
: the act or process of composing
2
: the manner in which the parts of a thing are put together : makeup
the composition of a painting
3
: the elements of a compound
the composition of rubber
4
: a product of combining ingredients : combination
a composition made of several different metals
5
: a literary, musical, or artistic production
especially
: a short piece of writing done as a school exercise
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