Definition of 'compass'
Video: pronunciation of 'compass'
noun
1.
2. Also called: pair of compasses (often plural)
4. music
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
adjective
Word origin of 'compass'
verb transitive
3.
to grasp mentally; understand; comprehend
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 compasses7.
a boundary line; circumference
8.
an enclosed area
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
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adjective
Word origin of 'compass'
Example sentences containing 'compass'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
But the way you go about getting it is more about your moral compass than your work ethic. The Sun (2016)He had a strong moral compass. Times, Sunday Times (2016)In Scotland the compass direction temporarily changed by more than five degrees in six minutes. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Football needs to rediscover its moral compass, if not by itself then with some help. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The desire to win medals superseded their collective moral and ethical compass and Olympic values of fair play. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The tunnel problem might seem far-fetched, but the minutiae of motoring demand a moral compass. Times, Sunday Times (2016)For more than 300 generations Istanbul has been home to men and women from all points of the compass. Times, Sunday Times (2017)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. 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. 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. Secrets of the Soil (1990)What's the moral compass you should use? Times, Sunday Times (2008)Four pavilions stood at the compass points, one in the middle of each of the four walls. Times, Sunday Times (2009)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)
Trends of 'compass'
In Common Usage. compass is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
View usage for:
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.
- American English: compass
- Arabic: بُوصُلَة
- Brazilian Portuguese: bússola
- Chinese: 罗盘
- Croatian: busola
- Czech: kompas
- Danish: kompas
- Dutch: kompas
- European Spanish: brújula
- Finnish: kompassi
- French: boussole
- German: Kompass
- Greek: πυξίδα
- Italian: bussola
- Japanese: コンパス
- Korean: 나침반
- Norwegian: kompass
- Polish: kompas
- European Portuguese: bússola
- Romanian: busolă
- Russian: компас
- Spanish: brújula
- Swedish: kompass
- Thai: เข็มทิศ
- Turkish: pusula
- Ukrainian: компас
- Vietnamese: la bàn
Nearby words of 'compass'
Related Terms of 'compass'
Source
Definition of compass from the
Collins English Dictionary
Take better control of your finances with these simple steps
Do you find yourself living paycheque to paycheque? Dr Peter Brooks offers his advice to make that money last
Read more
The etymology behind 4 eggs-ellent Springtime words
We’ve explored the diverse etymology of 4 eggs-ellent words associated with spring.
Read more
Up Lit, Alexa Laugh & Meet Me at McDonald’s Hair: March’s Words In The News
Catch up on the latest words in the news this March with Robert Groves.
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more