compass

A device that shows directions, usually with a needle pointing north.

• Take a compass on your walk.
• The compass needle points north.
• We found our way through the forest with a compass.

Common phrases: use a compass, compass needle, magnetic compass

A tool with two arms, one holding a pencil, used to draw circles.

• Use a compass to draw the circle.
• She adjusted the compass to a wider radius.
• Keep the sharp compass point away from your fingers.

Similar words: pair of compasses

Common phrases: draw with compass, compass point

The range from the lowest to the highest note that a voice or instrument can produce.

• Her voice has a wide compass.
• The melody lies within the compass of a flute.
• These notes exceed the instrument’s compass.

Similar words: range

Common phrases: vocal compass, wide compass

To be or go all the way around someone or something.

• High walls compass the city.
• Thick woods compassed the old house.
• They feared the enemies who compassed them about.

Similar words: surround, encircle

Common phrases: compass a city, compass someone about