noun

compass

KUHM-puhs

noun

A device with a magnetic needle (or an electronic equivalent) that points to show direction, especially north.

"She checked her compass to make sure the trail was heading north."

"Old sailing ships relied on a compass to navigate open water."

A hinged drawing tool with two arms, used to draw circles or measure distances on a map or diagram.

"He used a compass to draw a perfect circle for the diagram."

The overall range or scope of something, such as a voice or a set of abilities.

"The topic was beyond the compass of a single lecture."

verb

To surround or encircle something completely.

"Thick forest compassed the old cabin on every side."

How to Use Compass

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often the handheld device that points north, but it can also mean the range or limits of something.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "campus" (a school's grounds) — they look similar in print but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

campus →

Common pairings

magnetic compass moral compass compass point compass and map

more compass comparative, compassed past tense, compasses plural, compasses singular, most compass superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

She checked her _____ to make sure the trail was heading north.

From Old French compas, ultimately from Latin com- ("together") plus passus ("a step" or "pace") — the same root behind "pace" and "pass."

pair of compasses

pair of compasses