noun

compound

/ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/ · say it: KAH·muhnd

a substance formed from two or more chemical elements

In Science & Nature

In more detail

1. (noun) a substance made of two or more elements chemically joined together

2. (noun) an area with a fence or wall around it containing several buildings

3. (adjective) made of two or more parts or substances combined together

Examples

Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
The factory is located in a large industrial compound.
A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

How to use compound

Compound as a noun typically refers to a chemical substance or an enclosed area with multiple buildings; as an adjective, it describes something made of combined parts. The term is most common in chemistry, finance, and architectural contexts. It is more formal and technical than synonyms like mixture.

Common phrases

chemical compound
organic compound
compound fracture
compound interest
residential compound
fortified compound

Synonyms

mixture · combination · composite · amalgamation · blend

Opposites

element · simple · pure

Word family

compound (verb) · compounded (adjective) · compounder (noun)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse compound interest with simple interest, or use compound to mean merely mixed rather than chemically or structurally bonded together.

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