compound entry

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A single accounting record that combines two or more related transactions into one line or one journal entry.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a compound entry' or 'compound entries'.

   Patterns

   • make a compound entry
   • record something as a compound entry

   The bookkeeper made a compound entry to record the sale and the tax in one line.

   Instead of writing two separate entries, she used a compound entry to save time.

   A compound entry often has more than one debit and more than one credit.

2. 2nouncountable

   Any entry in a list, dictionary, or database that consists of two or more joined words or parts.

   Grammar: Countable: 'a compound entry' vs 'compound entries'.

   Patterns

   • a compound entry in a dictionary
   • list something as a compound entry

   In the index, 'ice cream' appears as a compound entry under I.

   The database stores each compound entry as a single searchable unit.

   Editors treat a compound entry differently from a simple one-word entry.

Word forms

Common combinations

make a compound entry

The accountant made a compound entry to combine the two bills.

record as a compound entry

You can record the refund as a compound entry with the original sale.

compound entry in the journal

The compound entry in the journal shows both the debit and the credit.

simple entry vs compound entry

A simple entry has one debit and one credit, while a compound entry has several.

Synonyms and how they differ

combined entry

A general term; 'compound entry' is the specific accounting term for merging transactions.

multiple-part entry

Describes any entry with several parts; 'compound entry' is more technical and precise in bookkeeping.

Opposites

Word family

compound verb

To mix or combine two or more things.

entry noun

A single item recorded in a list, book, or database.

Commonly confused: compound entry or compound interest?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “compound entry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words