verb
comprise
To consist of or make up something.
The committee comprises six teachers and two parents from our school.
Etymology
The French verb means to include or contain. Comprise relates the parts to the whole that contains them, preserving the idea of their inclusion within one collection.
More examples
- Five short chapters comprise the first section of the book.
- The collection comprises paintings, sketches, and a few sculptures.
- At its peak, the team comprised more than fifty volunteers.
Forms
comprise · comprises · comprised · comprising
Similar words
- constitute
- Describes parts forming a whole, not a whole containing parts.
- include
- Can name only some parts rather than the complete whole.