1 compass | Definition of compass
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

compass

verb
com·​pass | \ ˈkÉ™m-pÉ™s also ˈkäm- How to pronounce compass (audio) \
compassed; compassing; compasses

Definition of compass

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot " … persons … who have compassed my destruction … "— Charles Dickens
2 : encompass a lake compassed by mountains
3a : bring about, achieve … none can compass more than they intend …— Alexander Pope
b : to get into one's possession or power : obtain He compassed a vast estate.
4 : comprehend could not compass the seriousness of the problem

compass

noun

Definition of compass (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : boundary, circumference within the compass of the city walls
b : a circumscribed space crammed into a narrow compass
c : range, scope the compass of my voice
2 : a curved or roundabout course … a compass of seven days' journey … — 2 Kings 3:9 (King James Version)
3a : a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north
b : any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction
c : an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in plural

— called also pair of compasses

4 : direction sense 6c his moral compass

compass

adjective

Definition of compass (Entry 3 of 3)

: forming a curve : curved a compass timber

Illustration of compass

Illustration of compass

Noun

compass 3a

In the meaning defined above

Other Words from compass Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about compass

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from compass

Verb

compassable \ ˈkÉ™m-​pÉ™-​sÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce compassable (audio) also  ˈkäm-​ \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for compass

Noun

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. the entire range of human experience gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. a performance that ran the gamut of emotions compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of compass in a Sentence

Verb

 attempting more than his modest abilities could compass the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Noun

 He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods. His religion is the compass that guides him. Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks. The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Lutfi began harassing Britney and those around her shortly after the performer checked into an all-compassing wellness treatment facility in April, the singer’s attorney said in the court documents. — PEOPLE.com, "Britney Spears Gives Closet Tour as She's Granted Permanent Restraining Order Against Sam Lutfi," 13 June 2019 True to their name, though, sun compasses only work in the sun. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Vikings Could Have Used Crystals For Navigation," 4 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Similarly, the Boston Celtics card sports a four-leaf clover, the Indiana Pacers a pair of checkered flags and the Portland Trail Blazers a hand compass. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio Spurs deal season schedule via lotería cards," 28 Aug. 2019 And that makes it a lot more accurate than a compass. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Google Maps AR Navigation comes to iPhones and Android devices," 8 Aug. 2019 The first culture to become aware of magnetic material is a matter of open debate, but new evidence suggests ancient cultures in the Americas had knowledge of magnetic forces long before the first pocket compasses. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian, "Mesoamerican Sculptures Reveal Early Knowledge of Magnetism," 6 Aug. 2019 Your character is an unexpected moral compass of the show. — Morgan Baila, refinery29.com, "Meet Angus Cloud, Euphoria's Lovable Drug Dealer & Breakout Star," 5 July 2019 And while the ad didn’t include a compass, camera, barometer, altimeter, accelerometer, or GPS device, these too have vanished into the iPhone and other smartphones. — Andrew Mcafee, WIRED, "How the iPhone Helped Save the Planet," 29 June 2019 There are many different ways to reach the same outcome, Capricorn darling, so let your intuition be your compass. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What October's Capricorn Horoscope Means for You," 30 Sep. 2018 Navigation: Bring a map and compass, and know how to use them. —

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!