comprise

[ kuhm-prahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, com·prised, com·pris·ing.

1. to include or contain:

   The Soviet Union comprised several socialist republics.

2. to consist of; be composed of:

   The advisory board comprises six members.

3. to form or constitute:

   Seminars and lectures comprised the day's activities.

comprise

/ kəmˈpraɪz /

verb

1. to include; contain
2. to constitute the whole of; consist of

   her singing comprised the entertainment

Usage

The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of ) 500 000 books and manuscripts

Derived Forms

• comˈprisal, noun
• comˈprisable, adjective

Other Words From

• com·pris·a·ble adjective
• com·pris·al noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprise¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English comprisen, from Middle French compris (past participle of comprendre ), from Latin comprehēnsus; comprehension

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprise¹

C15: from French compris included, understood, from comprendre to comprehend

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be comprised of, to consist of; be composed of:

   The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores.

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

More places are needed as the Ipswich Garden Suburb development, which could comprise 3,500 new homes, is built.

From BBC

As the Guns N’ Roses bassist says, the songs that comprise that album were rooted in the reality of 1980s Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times

We’re talking about groups that comprise a percentage point of the electorate here, a point there.

From Slate

The judge reserved his position on a penalty, which could comprise of a maximum custodial sentence of 28 days for contempt of court.

From BBC

In his review of "Whose Names Are Unknown" for the Steinbeck Review, Meyer points out that Steinbeck called himself “a shameless magpie” and was “accused of borrowing the stories that comprise 'Pastures of Heaven' from Beth Ingalls” as well as “the ideas of Edith Wagner for his short story ‘How Edith McGillicuddy Met Robert Louis Stevenson.’”

From Salon

Related Words

• amount to
• compose
• constitute
• contain
• cover
• encompass
• form
• hold
• include
• involve
• span