com ‧ prise W3 AC /kəmˈpraɪz/ BrE AmE verb [not in progressive] formal
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: past participle of comprendre , from Latin comprehendere ; ⇨ ↑ comprehend ]
1 . [linking verb] to consist of particular parts, groups etc:
The house comprises two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.
be comprised of somebody/something
The committee is comprised of well-known mountaineers.
► Do not say that something ‘comprises of’ things or people.
2 . [transitive] to form part of a larger group of people or things SYN constitute , make up :
Women comprise a high proportion of part-time workers.
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THESAURUS
▪ consist of/be made up of to be formed from two or more things or people:
Lunch consisted of sandwiches and fruit.
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The apartment consisted of three rooms.
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The audience was largely made up of families.
▪ be composed of to consist of something – used especially when saying which natural substances something contains, or what kind of people are in a group:
Every chemical element is composed of atoms.
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Venus’ atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide.
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The team was composed of leading scientists from around the world.
▪ comprise /kəmˈpraɪz/ formal to consist of the things mentioned. Comprise can also be used to talk about the people or things which form something:
The event comprises a champagne reception, two-course lunch, and a fashion show.
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Men still comprise the majority of people who have the disease.
▪ make up ( also constitute formal ) to be the things or people that form something:
Women constitute a significant part of the workforce.
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Toys make up about 10% of the company’s sales.