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

Comcast is taking an exit ramp on cable programming by creating a new company, comprising nearly all of NBCUniversal’s current cable networks.

From Los Angeles Times

The desert landscape comprising the envisioned Chuckwalla and Kw’tsán monuments connected tribes in the region, according to Lena Ortega of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe.

From Los Angeles Times

He also had a role in organising what was the largest protest ever seen outside the Senedd in February, comprised of farmers concerned over a range of issues including changes to their subsidies.

From BBC

Later the company said in an official statement that it "is ready to communicate with the work council comprised of a majority of employees on matters including wages, benefits and working conditions".

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

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