WordGarden.iocompost
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈɒmpɒst/
US
- /ˈkɑmpoʊst/
Meanings
Noun
decayed organic matter used to improve soil
Verb
to turn organic waste into compost
to add compost to soil or plants
Beyond the definition
Imagine your kitchen scraps—apple cores, coffee grounds, even cardboard. Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into something useful called compost. It's nature's way of recycling: things break down and become a rich, dark, soil-like material that helps plants grow. Think of it as “black gold” for gardeners!
Composting isn't just about gardens, though. It's a practical way to cut landfill waste and help the planet. You can compost in your backyard with a bin or pile, or even indoors with special systems. A healthy compost heap is full of life—tiny creatures working hard to turn scraps into plant food.
Compost is decomposed organic matter—things that were once living. It's made when natural processes break down materials like food scraps, yard waste (leaves, grass clippings), and some paper products. Over time, the mix turns into a dark, crumbly, humus-rich material that improves soil and can gently feed plants.
The work is done by billions of microorganisms—bacteria and fungi—along with worms and other tiny creatures that eat the organic matter. They break it down into simpler compounds that plants can use. A well-managed compost pile will heat up as these organisms work, then cool down as it finishes, ending as a dark, crumbly material with an earthy smell.
Composting is more than just gardening; it's a sustainable practice with real environmental benefits. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills (where rotting waste can produce methane), enriches soil health, helps soil retain moisture, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
You can compost in various ways: traditional backyard piles or bins, vermicomposting (using worms), bokashi-style fermentation of food scraps (followed by burying or composting), and even through municipal collection programs. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore sustainable living, understanding compost is a step toward a healthier planet—one apple core at a time!
Examples
- 1
Gardening
We add compost to the garden every spring.
- 2
Kitchen scraps
She emptied the kitchen scraps into the compost bin.
- 3
At home
You can compost fruit peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds at home.
- 4
Natural breakdown
Keep the pile slightly damp so it composts more quickly.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- leaf mold
Contrast
- synthetic fertilizer
- raw food scraps
Used with (collocations)
- compost pile
- finished compost
- add compost to soil
- compost bin
Word family
- composting
- compostable
Explore
- soil amendment
- decomposition
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- compostnounverb
Forms
- composting-ing formverbnoun
- compostedpast tenseverbnoun
- compostsverbnoun