Definition of 'compass'

Word Frequency

compass (kʌmpəs )

Word forms: plural compasses

1. countable noun

A compass is an instrument that you use for finding directions. It has a dial and a magnetic needle that always points to the north.

We had to rely on a compass and a lot of luck to get here.

2. plural noun

Compasses are a hinged V-shaped instrument that you use for drawing circles.

3. countable noun

If something is within the compass of something or someone, it is within their limits or abilities.

[formal]

Within the compass of a normal sized book such a comprehensive survey was not practicable.

Synonyms: range, field, area, reach More Synonyms of compass

More Synonyms of compass

Word Frequency

compass (ˈkʌmpəs )

noun

an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot

2. Also called : pair of compasses (often plural)

an instrument used for drawing circles, measuring distances, etc, that consists of two arms, joined at one end, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle

limits or range

within the compass of education

4. music

the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument

5. archaic

a circular course

verb (transitive)

to encircle or surround; hem in

to comprehend or grasp mentally

to achieve; attain; accomplish

9. obsolete

to plot

Derived forms

compassable (ˈcompassable)

adjective

Word origin of 'compass'

C13: from Old French compas, from compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin compassāre (unattested) to pace out, ultimately from Latin passus step

Word Frequency

compass in American English (ˈkʌmpəs ; kumˈpəs; also ˈkɑmpəs ; kämˈpəs)

verb transitive

1. Archaic

to go around; make a circuit of

encompass (sense 1)

to grasp mentally; understand; comprehend

to reach successfully; achieve; accomplish

to compass one's ends

to plot or contrive (something harmful)

noun

6. [often pl.]

an instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end by a pivot, used for drawing arcs or circles or for taking measurements

: also called pair of compasses

a boundary line; circumference

an enclosed area

full extent or range; reach; scope; specif., range of tones, as of a voice

10.

any of various instruments for showing direction, esp. one consisting of a magnetic needle swinging freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north

11. Archaic

a circuit; course

adjective

12.

round; circular or semicircular

SIMILAR WORDS: range

Derived forms

compassable (ˈcompassable)

adjective

Word origin of 'compass'

ME compassen < OFr compasser, to go around < VL *compassare < L com-, together + passus, a step: see pace1

Example sentences containing 'compass'

We use the collapsed fridge as a compass point.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Your introduction to this kind may have come via a toy horseshoe magnet or a magnetic compass.

Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)

They had one plastic compass and a camera between them.

Times, Sunday Times (2011)

She also has a strong moral compass.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

The invention of the magnetic compass served as a great aid to navigation.

Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)

Compass is one to watch this year.

The Sun (2014)

He had a strong moral compass and sense of justice.

Times, Sunday Times (2013)

Men on the other hand rely on compass points and have a far better sense of north and south.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

They drifted off course and they lost their moral compass so badly it was always going to come to a head.

Times, Sunday Times (2015)

So pay attention to the points of the compass and spend as much of your holiday as possible skiing the shadows.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

And this is my moral compass.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

Because the fairways face all points of the compass, wind direction is constantly changing.

The Sun (2014)

Compass needles point north, not south.

Christianity Today (2000)

Like the compass needle, it is constantly directed to a single point in infinite space.

Thompkins, Peter, Bird, Christopher Secrets of the Soil (1990)

What's the moral compass you should use?

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

Imagine four beams shooting into a patient's body from the points of a compass.

Times, Sunday Times (2011)

Four pavilions stood at the compass points, one in the middle of each of the four walls.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

They then send the global position to mortar teams who use an iPhone compass app to line up their weapons precisely.

The Sun (2011)

Also being sold are the tiny compass he used during his escape in Italy and a diary he kept during the war.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

The device includes an electronic compass, direction indicator, route planner and real time clock.

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

The compass needle always points towards Magnetic North.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

The direction of the compass arrow was spot-on and the unit hit locations with an impressive accuracy of 10ft or less.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Trends of 'compass'

Translations for 'compass'

British English: compass /ˈkʌmpəs/ NOUN
A compass is an instrument that you use for finding directions. It has a dial and a magnetic needle that always points to the north.We had to use a compass to get here.