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noun Uncommon

compilation

kom-pih-LAY-shuhn

Compilation (noun) means a collection of things gathered together from different sources into one place. Example: “The album is a compilation of the band's greatest hits.”

noun
1
A collection of things gathered together from different sources into one place.
"The album is a compilation of the band's greatest hits."
"She put together a compilation of research from various journals."
2
The process of translating source code into a form a computer can run.
"The compilation failed because of a missing semicolon in the code."

How to Use Compilation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA collected set of things — songs, data, or writing — brought together from various places.

Common pairings
compilation album video compilation data compilation

Word Forms

compilations plural

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Test yourself on “compilation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The album is a _____ of the band's greatest hits.

Etymology

From Latin compilatio, "a plundering or gathering," related to compilare, "to plunder" — the same root as "compile."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for compilation

See all rhymes for compilation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “compilation” mean?

The word “compilation” means a collection of things gathered together from different sources into one place. In plain terms, a collected set of things — songs, data, or writing — brought together from various places.

How do you pronounce “compilation”?

“Compilation” is pronounced kom-pih-LAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑm.pɪˈleɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “compilation” in a sentence?

Here is “compilation” used in a sentence: “The album is a compilation of the band's greatest hits.”

What part of speech is “compilation”?

“Compilation” is a noun.

Where does the word “compilation” come from?

The word “compilation” comes from Latin. From Latin compilatio, "a plundering or gathering," related to compilare, "to plunder" — the same root as "compile.".

Is “compilation” a common word?

“Compilation” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “compilation” have?

“Compilation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a collection of things gathered together from different sources into one place.

What is the difference between a compilation and a collection?

A compilation specifically involves gathering items from different sources into a single, organized whole, such as a compilation album drawing songs from several artists. A collection can simply be a group of related items without implying they were assembled from separate sources.

How is compilation used differently in music versus computing?

In music and media, a compilation refers to a gathered set of works, such as a compilation of greatest hits, placed together in one release. In computing, compilation refers to the separate process of translating source code into a form a computer can run, unrelated to the media sense.

What is a compilation album?

A compilation album is a collection of previously released or various tracks gathered from different sources, such as multiple artists or earlier releases, and packaged together as a single album.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial