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Meaning & use

compass

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈkʌmpəs/
US/ˈkʌmpəs/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A device with a magnetic needle that points north, used to find your way.

    Grammar: A countable instrument: a pocket compass.

    Patterns

    • read a compass
    • by compass
    • a magnetic compass

    The hikers checked their compass at every fork.

    He navigated by compass in the thick fog.

    My grandfather gave me a brass compass.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    A V-shaped tool with two arms, one with a point and one with a pencil, used to draw circles.

    Grammar: Often called a pair of compasses in British English.

    Patterns

    • a pair of compasses
    • draw with a compass

    Use a compass to draw a perfect circle.

    She stuck the point of the compass into the paper.

    The geometry kit includes a compass and ruler.

  3. nounsingularformal

    The range, limits or reach of something.

    Grammar: Formal; often within or beyond the compass of something.

    Patterns

    • within the compass of something
    • beyond the compass of something

    The question lies beyond the compass of this book.

    The singer's voice had a wide compass.

    Such a project is not within the compass of a small team.

  4. verbtransitivearchaicliterary

    To go around something, or to achieve or understand it.

    Grammar: Archaic or literary.

    Patterns

    • compass something

    The sailors compassed the island in a day.

    The villain compassed his purpose with cunning.

    They compassed the whole field before nightfall.

Word forms

pluralcompasses
third person singularcompasses
past tensecompassed
past participlecompassed
-ing formcompassing

Common combinations

magnetic compass
A magnetic compass points toward the north pole.
moral compass
She has a strong moral compass.
compass point
The map shows each compass point.
compass needle
The compass needle trembled and settled.
a pair of compasses
Bring a pair of compasses to geometry class.
within the compass of
The task is within the compass of any beginner.

Synonyms and how they differ

range
Range is the usual word for extent, while compass is more formal.
scope
Scope refers to the area or subject something covers.
bearings
Bearings are directions, and can be found with a compass.
gauge
A gauge measures something, but a compass shows direction.

Word family

compasses noun
the drawing tool, usually plural
encompass verb
to include or surround
compassable adjective
able to be achieved, a rare word

Commonly confused: compass or compassion? compass or encompass?

compass vs compassion

Compassion is sympathy for another's suffering, and is not related to direction-finding.

compass vs encompass

Encompass means to include or surround, while compass is the instrument or range.

Practice

The explorers used a ___ to find north.

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