compost
KAHM-pohst
/ˈkɑːmpoʊst/
Decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer.
Refers to the end product of controlled decomposition, not just a pile of trash.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'compositum,' meaning 'something put together.' In the 14th century, it referred to a mixture of various substances, eventually narrowing down to a mixture of organic waste for soil.
Word relationships
- humus: Humus is the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
- fertilizer: Fertilizer is a broad term for any substance added to soil; compost is specifically organic and decayed.
Commonly confused with
- mulch: Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil; compost is mixed into the soil to provide nutrients.
Word family
- composting (noun/verb): The process of making compost.
Collocations
- compost bin
- compost heap
- organic compost
Example sentences
- "Adding compost to your garden soil improves its structure and nutrient content." Gardening advice.
- "Behold this compost! behold it well! It grows such sweet things out of such corruptions." A poetic reflection on nature. (Walt Whitman, 'This Compost')
Memory hook
You 'compose' a song by putting notes together; you 'compost' by putting organic scraps together. Compost: Put it together to grow.
When not to use
Don't use it for inorganic waste like plastic or metal; they cannot be composted.
Fun facts
- Composting can reduce a household's waste by up to 30%, keeping organic matter out of landfills where it would produce methane.
Related words
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Nature → Pollution & Waste Management
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Organic Farming Practices
- Hobbies, Crafts & Leisure → Gardening & Houseplants
- Home & Domestic Life → Waste Management & Recycling
- Home & Domestic Life → Lawn Care & Landscaping
- Civic Life & Public Services → Municipal Waste & Sanitation
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