compounding

noun
UK /kəmˈpaʊndɪŋ/
US /kəmˈpaʊndɪŋ/

Compounding is when small parts are put together to make something bigger.

The compounding of two words created a brand-new word.

SYNONYMS

combiningmixingblendingmerging

RELATED WORDS

compoundmixturecombinationblend

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In finance, compounding is when interest earns more interest over time.

Thanks to compounding, her savings grew faster each year.

3. In medicine, compounding is mixing ingredients to make a custom medicine.

The pharmacist did the compounding to create a special dose for the child.

4. In grammar, compounding is joining two words to form a new one.

The compounding of 'sun' and 'flower' gives us 'sunflower'.