comprise

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /kəmˈpraɪz/
• SAMPA: /k@m"praIz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: com‧prise

Verb

Plain form comprise

Third-person singular comprises

Past tense comprised

Past participle comprised

Present participle comprising

1. (transitive) If $x$ comprises $y$, $y$ is part of $x$.

   The United States comprises Hawaii and Alaska.

2. (transitive) If $x$ comprises $y$, $y$ is all the things that, together, make $x$.

   The United States comprises 50 states.

3. (transitive) If $x$ comprises $y$, $x$ is all the things that, together, make $y$.

   Fifty states comprise The United States.

   The United States is comprised of 50 states.

Synonyms

• consist
• include
• contain
• compose
• constitute

Usage

Sense #3 is new and some people don't like it, but it is becoming more common. Whether you like and use it or not, it can make understanding the meaning a little difficult.