composition Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
    composing.
    • harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art
  2. noun the way in which someone or something is composed
    physical composition; make-up; makeup; constitution.
  3. noun a mixture of ingredients
  4. noun a musical work that has been created
    piece of music; opus; musical composition; piece.
    • the composition is written in four movements
  5. noun musical creation
    composing.
  6. noun the act of creating written works
    authorship; penning; writing.
    • writing was a form of therapy for him
    • it was a matter of disputed authorship
  7. noun art and technique of printing with movable type
    typography.
  8. noun an essay (especially one written as an assignment)
    report; theme; paper.
    • he got an A on his composition
  9. noun something that is created by arranging several things to form a unified whole
    • he envied the composition of their faculty

WordNet

Com`po*si"tion noun
Etymology
F. composition, fr. L. compositio. See Composite.
Definitions
  1. The act or art of composing, or forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts, or ingredients. In specific uses: (a) The invention or combination of the parts of any literary work or discourse, or of a work of art; as, the composition of a poem or a piece of music. "The constant habit of elaborate composition." Macaulay. (b) (Fine Arts) The art or practice of so combining the different parts of a work of art as to produce a harmonious whole; also, a work of art considered as such. See 4, below. (c) The act of writing for practice in a language, as English, Latin, German, etc. (d) (Print.) The setting up of type and arranging it for printing.
  2. The state of being put together or composed; conjunction; combination; adjustment.
    View them in composition with other things. I. Watts.
    The elementary composition of bodies. Whewell.
  3. A mass or body formed by combining two or more substances; as, a chemical composition.
    A omposition that looks . . . like marble. Addison.
  4. A literary, musical, or artistic production, especially one showing study and care in arrangement; -- often used of an elementary essay or translation done as an educational exercise.
  5. Consistency; accord; congruity. Obs.
    There is no composition in these news That gives them credit. Shak.
  6. Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy; also, the terms or conditions of settlement; agreement.
    Thus we are agreed: I crave our composition may be written. Shak.
  7. (Law) The adjustment of a debt, or avoidance of an obligation, by some form of compensation agreed on between the parties; also, the sum or amount of compensation agreed upon in the adjustment.
    Compositions for not taking the order of knighthood. Hallam.
    Cleared by composition with their creditors. Blackstone.
  8. Synthesis as opposed to analysis.
    The investigation of difficult things by the method of analysis ought ever to precede the method of composition. Sir I. Newton.

Webster 1913