compile

[ kuhm-pahyl ]

verb (used with object)

, com·piled, com·pil·ing.

1. to put together (documents, selections, or other materials) in one book or work.
2. to make (a book, writing, or the like) of materials from various sources:

   to compile an anthology of plays; to compile a graph showing changes in profit.

3. to gather together:

   to compile data.

4. Computers. to translate (a computer program) from a high-level language into another language, usually machine language, using a compiler.

compile

/ kəmˈpaɪl /

verb

1. to make or compose from other materials or sources

   to compile a list of names

2. to collect or gather for a book, hobby, etc
3. computing to create (a set of machine instructions) from a high-level programming language, using a compiler

Other Words From

• precom·pile verb (used with object) precompiled precompiling
• recom·pile verb (used with object) recompiled recompiling
• uncom·piled adjective
• well-com·piled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin compīlāre “to rob, pillage, steal from another writer,” equivalent to com- “with” + -pīlāre, perhaps akin to pīla “column, pier,” pīlāre “to fix firmly, plant” (hence, “pile up, accumulate”); com-, pile ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

C14: from Latin compīlāre to pile together, plunder, from com- together + pīlāre to thrust down, pack

Example Sentences

Harden’s 125 rushing yards were more than his team had compiled in any previous game this season.

From Los Angeles Times

The man is working to compile an oral history of the Troubles for Boston College's Belfast Project.

From Salon

The DreamToys list is compiled by a panel of retailers and experts.

From BBC

As a wedding present, her sister collected and compiled maternal and paternal family recipes and put them into a book for her.

From Los Angeles Times

There were some great goals scored over the round too - we have compiled a shortlist of 10 of the best and want you to vote for your favourite.

From BBC

Related Words

• amass
• arrange
• assemble
• collect
• compose
• cull
• edit
• gather
• glean
• organize