How to pronounce compost
Say it like KOM-pohst. Compost has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compost. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOM
- pohst
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compost pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pohstKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of compost
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-post.
What does compost mean?
- The decayed remains of organic matter that has rotted into a natural fertilizer.“Dig plenty of compost into clay or sandy soil to improve its structure.”
- A medium in which one can cultivate plants.“Once the seed tray is filled with compost, insert the seeds spaced 3 cm apart from one another.”
- To produce compost, let organic matter decay into fertilizer.“If you compost your grass clippings, you can improve your soil.”
Where does compost come from?
From Middle English compost, from Old Northern French compost (“a mixture of leaves, manure, etc., for fertilizing land, also a condiment”), from Latin compositus (“composed”), from componere.
Questions about saying compost
How do you pronounce compost?
Say KOM-pohst. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmpoʊst/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmpɒst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compost?
Compost has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM). Broken into parts: KOM · pohst.
Is compost pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒmpɒst/ (KOM-post).