Definition of compass - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
navigationinstrument for finding directions with a magnetic needle
- The compass helped us find our way north.
2.
drawinginstrument with two arms for drawing circles
- She used a compass to draw a perfect circle.
3.
musicrange of notes of a musical instrument or voice
- The singer's compass spans three octaves.
4.
boundariesDated area within limits or boundariesDated
- The garden is within the compass of the estate.
Verb
1.
cognitiontr. understand or grasp something mentallytr.
- He could not compass the complexity of the theory.
2.
actiontr. Dated encircle or surround something completelytr. Dated
- The castle was compassed by a deep moat.
3.
achievementtr. Dated achieve or accomplish a goaltr. Dated
- She compassed her dream of becoming a doctor.
4.
navigationtr./intr. Dated travel around an area or objecttr./intr. Dated
- They compassed the island in a small boat.
5.
strategyintr. plot or scheme against someoneintr.
- The rebels compassed against the king.
Images of compass
instrument for finding directions with a magnetic needle 
instrument with two arms for drawing circles
Expressions with compass
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lose sense of purpose or direction in life or decisions
After the job loss, she lost her compass and felt confused.
outside the range of someone's understanding or ability
The math problem was beyond his compass.
outside the range of understanding or knowledge
Quantum physics is beyond the compass of many students.
needle that shows direction in a compass
He watched the compass needle to find his way.
any of the directions marked on a compass
The ship sailed towards the northeast compass point.
person's ability to judge what is right and wrong
Her strong moral compass guided her decisions.
direction indicated by a compass needle
The hiker checked the compass north before proceeding.
circular figure on maps or charts showing directions
The compass rose on the map points north.
adjust the compass to a specific direction
He pointed the compass north before starting the hike.
the named directions shown on a compass for navigation
The map shows all the points of the compass.
instrument showing direction using Earth's magnetic field
The sailor used a magnetic compass to find his way.
the angle difference between magnetic compass and true north
The pilot adjusted for compass error during the flight.
handsaw with a narrow triangular blade for cutting curves
She skillfully maneuvered the compass saw along the curved line.
one of the four main directions on a compass
The map shows the cardinal compass points clearly.
the face of a compass showing directions
The compass dial pointed north.
device for creating circular curves with a pivot and scribing point
The architect used a beam compass to draw the curve.
circular card in a compass showing directions and rotating to north
The compass card pointed north as the ship changed course.
compass with an arched plate for precise adjustments
The engineer preferred using a bow compass for detailed work.
plane with a flexible face for curved surfaces
He adjusted the compass plane to fit the convex curve.
Wyethia angustifolia native to western North America
Wyethia angustifolia is a type of compass plant.
semicircular or curved window extending from a building
The living room has a compass window overlooking the garden.
compass with a lens for precise navigation
The soldier used a lensatic compass to find his way.
outside the limits of someone's ability or understanding
The math problem was beyond his compass.
travel around the world
They dream to compass the globe in a sailboat.
Origin of compass
Latin, compassus (circle)
Terms with compass included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
cardinal direction
direction opposite to south on a compass
compass point
direction between north and west
position
located toward the upper-left compass direction
orientation
pointing toward the lower-left direction on a compass
abr: Northwest
direction between north and west on a compass
maps
direction on a compass
geography
region toward the lower-left on maps, or compass direction
direction
towards the exact east point on a compass
direction
towards the exact south point on a compass
navigation
the cardinal compass point at 180 degrees
align directionally
align or position something relative to a compass
compass bearing
direction or area lying to the south
navigation
compass point between north and east at 45 degrees
navigation
one of the four main compass directions
navigation
any of the four main compass directions
navigation
determine one's position using a map or compass
moral compass
inner sense of right and wrong
navigation
determine direction using a compass or map
geography
relating to main compass directions used for navigation
compass directions
the four main compass directions: north, south, east, west
navigation
magnetic force affecting compass accuracy
compass component
needle that is magnetized and points north-south
navigation
compass point between north and northeast
direction
toward the point on the compass between north and northwest
Examples of compass in a sentence
The hiker relied on the compass to navigate the dense forest. The architect used a compass for the design. In geometry class, a compass is essential. That aria lies beyond the tenor's compass. The flute has a wider compass than the recorder. The compass of the project was clearly defined.
His influence was felt within the compass of the community. She struggled to compass the new language. He tried to compass the artist's vision. The garden was compassed by a white picket fence. The city was compassed by ancient walls. He compassed his goal of writing a novel in a year. They compassed the project successfully despite the challenges. The explorers compassed the mountain range on foot. He plans to compass the peninsula by kayak. They compassed a plan to overthrow the government. The group compassed a strategy to outsmart their rivals.
View all translations of compass
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:boussole, comprendre, ...
- German:Kompass, begreifen, ...
- Italian:bussola, comprendere, ...
- Spanish:brújula, comprender, ...
- Portuguese:bússola, compreender, ...
- Chinese:指南针, 理解, ...
- Japanese:コンパス, 理解する, ...
- Arabic:بوصَلَة, اِسْتَوْعَبَ, ...
- Hebrew:מַצְפֵּן, לְהַשִּׂיג בַּשֵּׂכֶל, ...
- Russian:компас, понимать, ...
- Ukrainian:компас, осягнути, ...
- Hindi:कंपास, समझना, ...
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