composite — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Made up of multiple components; compound or complex.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The line then falls on a gradient of 1 in 102 to the point at Windmill Lane, known locally as the "Three Bridges," where there is a composite crossing of road, canal and railway, all at the same point. The road is carried over the canal by an orthodox-style bridge, the canal being contained in a cast-iron trough, 8 ft. deep, which passes at an acute angle over the railway. (This arrangement at Southall remains the same in 2026)

2. Being a mixture of Ionic and Corinthian styles.

3. Having factors other than itself and one; not prime and not one.

4. Belonging to the Asteraceae family (formerly known as Compositae), bearing involucrate heads of many small florets.

   Synonyms

   asteracean

5. Employing multiple exposures on a single plate, so as to create an average view of something, such as faces in physiognomy.

   Usage

   • Historical

   Examples

   composite portraiture; a composite photograph

   More examples (1)

   [B]y photographing a number of faces on the same plate, and so superimposing their images on one another, he produces a so-called "composite" photograph or image.

Noun

1. A mixture of different components.

2. A structural material that gains its strength from a combination of complementary materials.

3. A plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, syn. Compositae.

4. A function of a function.

5. A drawing, photograph, etc. that combines several separate pictures or images.

6. A railway carriage with compartments for two different classes of travel; see Composite Corridor.

   Usage

   • UK usage

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The units are made up as either: [...] Trailer composite—4 first-class compartments—24 seats; and 3 second-class compartments—24 seats, [...] A total of 40 vehicles are to be built, Ten of each type of power car, ten trailer composites, five trailer seconds and five trailer second/buffets.

7. A framed photo board composed of many individual photos of fraternity or sorority members.

8. The separate pages of individual student photos that form the main section.

9. A segment, subset.

   Usage

   • Uncommon

   Examples

   […] likely give offense to conscience or moral feelings or shock the sense of decency or propriety in a substantial composite of the general public

   Insurance as an industry is a major composite of the financial sector of any economy all over the world, Nigeria inclusive.

Verb

1. To make a composite.

   Examples

   I composited an image using computer software.

Adjective

1. consisting of separate interconnected parts

2. of or relating to or belonging to the plant family Compositae

Noun

1. a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

   Synonyms

   complex

   Broader terms

   whole

   Examples

   the complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town

2. considered the most highly evolved dicotyledonous plants, characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers

   Synonyms

   composite plant

   Broader terms

   flower