compound

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/
• (US) enPR: kŏm'pound, IPA ^(key): /ˈkɑmpaʊnd/

• audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular compound

Plural compounds

1. (countable) A compound is a material made of a number of other materials.

   The new chemical compound has far less smell than the original substance.

   There is a group of gases that do not easily form chemical compounds.

2. (countable) A compound is a mixture.

   The new CD is a compound of North American rock music and Middle Eastern religious songs.

3. (countable) A compound is a group of buildings surrounded by a fence or wall.

Synonyms

• combination

Antonyms

• element

Verb

Plain form compound

Third-person singular compounds

Past tense compounded

Past participle compounded

Present participle compounding

1. (transitive) If something is compounded, it is added to.

   Her troubles were now compounded by the rain.

2. (transitive) If interest is compounded, it is paid on earlier interest payments.

   Interest is compounded monthly.

Synonyms

• combine