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Compound: meaning, definitions and examples

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compound

 

[ˈkɑmpaʊnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

chemical

A substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions and usually having properties different from those of its constituent elements.

Synonyms

blend, composite, mixture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
compound

Refers to a substance made from two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. It is typically used in scientific or technical contexts, especially in chemistry.

  • Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
  • The chemist synthesized a new compound that could be used in medicine.
mixture

Indicates a combination of two or more substances where each substance retains its own chemical identity and properties. It is a general term that can be used in both scientific and everyday contexts.

  • Air is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen.
  • The recipe calls for a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter.
blend

Implies a mix of different substances or elements where each component retains its individual properties. It is often used in everyday language, particularly when talking about food, beverages, or other consumer products.

  • This coffee is a perfect blend of Arabica and Robusta beans.
  • The artist created a unique blend of colors for the painting.
composite

Refers to a material or object made from two or more distinct materials with different properties, which together produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components. Commonly used in construction, materials science, and engineering.

  • The building's structure is made of a composite material consisting of concrete and steel.
  • The racing bike features a lightweight composite frame.

Examples of usage

  • The formation of a compound involves a chemical reaction.
  • Water, salt, and sugar are examples of compounds.
  • In chemistry, compounds are classified into different categories based on their molecular structure.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

A word made up of two or more smaller words or word elements.

Synonyms

composite word, phrasal compound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
compound

Used in grammar when referring to a noun, verb, adjective, or preposition that is made up of two or more words working together as a single unit.

  • 'Haircut' is a compound noun.
  • 'To understand' is a compound verb.
composite word

Used when referring specifically to words that are made up of two or more words combined to create a new word with a unique meaning.

  • 'Babysitter' is a composite word made from 'baby' and 'sitter'.
  • 'Newspaper' is a composite word combining 'news' and 'paper'.
phrasal compound

Used in linguistic contexts to refer to a phrase that functions as a single unit and is often hyphenated.

  • 'Mother-in-law' is a phrasal compound.
  • 'Editor-in-chief' is an example of a phrasal compound.

Examples of usage

  • The word 'blackboard' is a compound word.
  • In English, compounds are often formed by combining nouns.
  • Some languages have more complex rules for creating compounds.
Context #3 | Verb

to make up a compound

To combine or mix together to form a whole.

Synonyms

blend, combine, mix.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
compound

Use when referring to combining elements to form something new, often in a scientific or financial context. It can also imply making something worse when talking about problems.

  • The scientist will compound the chemicals to create a new solution.
  • Their arguments will only compound the problem.
combine

Appropriate for situations where you bring together different elements to form a whole, without emphasizing the process or the result being seamless.

  • Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
  • They decided to combine their efforts to complete the project.
mix

Best used when you need to indicate stirring or shaking different substances together. Typically used in informal contexts like cooking, drink-making, or everyday activities.

  • Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl.
  • He mixed the paints to get a new color.
blend

Suitable for talking about mixing substances smoothly together so that you cannot tell they are different parts. Often used in cooking and art.

  • Blend the fruits in a blender until smooth.
  • The painter blended the colors to create a beautiful sunset.

Examples of usage

  • She compounds various herbs to create a healing potion.
  • The chef compounded different flavors to make a unique dish.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'compoundere', which means 'to put together'.
  • In English, it has been used since the 15th century to describe things made of two parts.
  • It originally referred to physical mixtures before being used in chemistry.

Science

  • Compounds consist of molecules that can be made of the same type of atoms, like oxygen (O2), or different types, like water (H2O).
  • There are millions of known chemical compounds, with new ones being discovered or synthesized frequently.
  • Some compounds, like salt, have distinct properties that are very different from the elements that make them up.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, 'compound' can refer to compound interest, which calculates interest on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods.
  • The concept of compound numbers blends ideas, much like combining two shapes to create a new figure.
  • Compound shapes in geometry are formed by combining two or more simple shapes.

Literature

  • In poetry, compound phrases can create layers of meaning, much like how compounds combine elements to convey something new.
  • Compound sentences consist of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, allowing for richer storytelling.
  • Authors often use compound words to invent new terms that enhance the imagery in their writings.

Cultural References

  • In urban planning, a compound often refers to a fenced or walled area with multiple buildings, indicating safety and community.
  • Certain cultures view compounds as familial living spaces where multiple generations reside together.
  • In popular media, compounds can symbolize secrecy or exclusivity, often being the setting for various plots in thrillers and mysteries.

Translations

Translations of the word "compound" in other languages:

🇵🇹 composto

🇮🇳 यौगिक

🇩🇪 Verbindung

🇮🇩 senyawa

🇺🇦 сполука

🇵🇱 związek

🇯🇵 化合物 (kagōbutsu)

🇫🇷 composé

🇪🇸 compuesto

🇹🇷 bileşik

🇰🇷 화합물 (hwahabmul)

🇸🇦 مركب (murakkab)

🇨🇿 sloučenina

🇸🇰 zlúčenina

🇨🇳 化合物 (huàhéwù)

🇸🇮 spojina

🇮🇸 efnasamband

🇰🇿 қосылыс

🇬🇪 შედგენა (shedegna)

🇦🇿 birləşmə

🇲🇽 compuesto

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,748, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.