verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/kəmˈpɹaɪz/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪz
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 M P R AY1 Z
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To be made up of; to consist of (especially a comprehensive list of parts).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: passive, proscribed, sometimes, usually
Examples
Near-synonym: make up
The whole is comprised of the parts.
The parts comprise the whole.
1657, Isaac Barrow, Data (Euclid) (translation), Prop. XXX "Seeing then the angles comprised of equal right lines are equal, we have found the angle FDE equal to the angle ABC."
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: make up
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To include, contain, or be made up of, defining the minimum elements, whether essential or inessential to define an invention.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: intellectual-property, law, patent-law
Examples
(close-ended)
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
form or compose
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
This money is my only income
The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance
These constitute my entire belonging
The children made up the chorus
This sum represents my entire income for a year
These few men comprise his entire army
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: constitute, represent, make up, be
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: make, compose, form, constitute, range, straddle, fall into, fall under, present, pose, supplement
5
verb
Meaning 5
include or contain; have as a component
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: incorporate, contain
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: include
6
verb
Meaning 6
be composed of
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The land he conquered comprised several provinces
What does this dish consist of?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: consist
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: be
History
Etymology
From Middle English comprisen, from Old French compris, past participle of comprendre, from Latin comprehendere, contr. comprendere, past participle comprehensus (“to comprehend”); see comprehend. Compare apprise, reprise, surprise.
Across languages
Translations
57 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
състоя се
(sǎstoja se)
— be made up of
Bulgarian:
обхващам
(obhvaštam)
— be made up of
Bulgarian:
съдържам
(sǎdǎržam)
— be made up of
Czech:
skládat se
— be made up of
Dutch:
bevatten
— be made up of
Dutch:
omvatten
— be made up of
Esperanto:
ampleksi
— be made up of
Finnish:
käsittää
— be made up of
French:
contenir
— be made up of
French:
comprendre
— be made up of
German:
bestehen aus
— be made up of
Hebrew:
כלל
(kalál)
— be made up of
Italian:
consistere
— be made up of
Italian:
comprendere
— be made up of
Norwegian:
bestå av
— be made up of
Norwegian:
omfatte
— be made up of
Polish:
składać się
— be made up of
Portuguese:
consistir
— be made up of
Portuguese:
resumir
— be made up of
Portuguese:
compreender
— be made up of
Slovene:
obsegati
— be made up of
Slovene:
sestati iz
— be made up of
Spanish:
comprender
— be made up of
Spanish:
constar de
— be made up of
Spanish:
consistir de
— be made up of
Spanish:
comprehender (desus.)
— be made up of
Spanish:
radicar en
— be made up of
Spanish:
consistir en
— be made up of
Ukrainian:
складатися із
(skladatysja iz)
— be made up of
Ukrainian:
охоплювати
(oxopljuvaty)
— be made up of
