Compost
/ˈkɒmpɒst/
Definitions
2 meaningsDecayed organic material used as fertilizer.
/ˈkɒmpɒst/
Decayed organic matter used as a fertilizer.
I added compost to my garden to help my plants grow.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a pile of food scraps and leaves that slowly turn into yummy food for your plants! That's compost!
👶 For kids: Yucky old food and leaves that turn into yummy food for plants!
More Examples
Compost is a natural and sustainable way to fertilize crops.
The compost pile was filled with kitchen scraps and yard waste.
How It's Used
"Gardeners use compost to enrich the soil."
"Farmers rely on compost to improve crop yield."
To make or add compost.
/kəmˈpɒst/
To make compost or add compost to something.
He composts his food scraps in a bin in the backyard.
💡 Simply: To make that yummy plant food, by collecting food waste and letting it rot in a special place to create fertilizer.
👶 For kids: To make yucky old stuff into yummy food for plants!
More Examples
We composted the leaves and grass clippings.
She decided to start composting to reduce her environmental impact.
How It's Used
"She composted her food scraps to reduce waste."
"The city encourages residents to compost their yard waste."
From French *compost*, from Italian *composto*, from *comporre* 'to put together', from Latin *componere*. Initially referring to a mixture, then specifically to a mixture of decaying organic matter.
Historically used in agricultural practices for soil improvement, compost use has increased with a growing awareness of sustainable practices.
Memory tip
Think of the post-decay matter on your plants—that's compost!
Word Origin
"To put together, a mixture (from Latin *componere*)"