composition Hear it!

composition Definition

com·po·si·tion (käm′pə zis̸h′ən)

noun

  1. the act of composing, or putting together a whole by combining parts; specif.,
    1. the putting together of words, esp. in a correct and effective way; art of writing
    2. the creation of musical works
  2. the makeup of a thing or person; aggregate of ingredients or qualities and manner of their combination; constitution
  3. that which is composed; specif.,
    1. a mixture of several parts or ingredients
    2. a musical work Mozart's compositions for string quartet
    3. an exercise in writing done as schoolwork
  4. an arrangement of the parts of a work of art so as to form a unified, harmonious whole
  5. an agreement, or settlement, often by compromise, as by the creditors of a potential bankrupt
  6. the state or quality of being composite
  7. Linguis. the device or process of forming compounds from two or more base morphemes
  8. Printing the work or skill of setting matter for printing

Etymology: ME composicioun < L compositio, a putting together < compositus: see composite

composition Related Forms

com′·po·si′·tional adjective

composition Synonyms

composition

n.

  1. The act of arranging for effect

    combination, distribution, arrangement; see organization 1, synthesis 1.

  2. Arrangement

    configuration, structure, makeup, constitution, layout, conformation, construction, organization, symmetry, proportion, balance, harmony, style, concord, agreement, consonance, form, spacing, placing, rhythm; see also consistency 1, form 1, organization 2.

  3. The act of producing creative work

    creation, writing, authoring, fashioning, formation, conception, presentation, forging, shaping, sculpturing, invention, designing, planning, bringing into existence, fabrication; see also production 1, writing 1, 3.

  4. A written work

    work, musical work, piece, essay, paper, theme, article, writing exercise, opus, song, score, production, story, verse, melody; see also biography, book 1, creation 3, exposition 2, literature 2, music 1, piece 3, poetry, writing 2.

composition Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • flora: Lower colonic pH may also change the composition of the gut flora to one less prone to produce carcinogens.
  • workforce: Were there any significant changes in the gender composition of the workforce in this period?
  • atmosphere: The very structural composition of the atmosphere is changing.

Converse of object

  • alter: Any such changes are unlikely to significantly alter the fundamental composition of the SAC series.
  • determine: The dictionary performs syntax analysis of phrases and determines morphological composition of each given word for English-language entries.
  • vary: With such a varying ethnic composition, it is no surprise that a great diversity of religions is prevalent throughout Malaysia.
  • reflect: Volunteer Challenge aims to achieve an active membership, which reflects the composition of the student and staff community it serves.

Adjective modifier

  • isotopic: Salmonid pellet feed consists of primarily marine-derived material and thus exhibits carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic compositions distinct to most freshwater organic material.
  • elemental: This K value is determined by analyzing an organic standard of a known elemental composition.
  • atmospheric: The short wavelength limit is due to atmospheric absorption and depends on atmospheric composition such as the presence of cloud cover.
  • electroacoustic: In much electroacoustic composition, the term departs in its significance from the sense with which it is used in sound recording vocabulary.
  • musical: Musical compositions, tunes or songs, find room here.
  • fatty: Mood disorders have been associated with abnormalities in fatty acid composition.

Modifies a noun

pedal: Composition pedals: 4 double-acting to Great, 2 to Swell, 2 to couplers.

Noun used with modifier

  • chemical: The plasma deposition method permits polymer surfaces to be produced with a variety of chemical compositions not possible by normal chemical or plating treatments.
  • species: However these changes in species composition would have very little impact on potential pasture production.
  • lipid: Influence of dietary mackeral oil on the condition of organs and on the blood lipid composition in the young growing pig.
  • amino: Next the amino acid composition is listed followed by a histogram.
  • alloy: MR has become important in the study of bulk parameters, such as alloy compositions and doping concentrations.
  • household: The test will be based on a series of upper and lower thresholds that will be weighted to take account of household composition.