From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishldoce_070_acompasscom‧pass /ˈkʌmpəs/ ●○○ noun 1 
[countable]DLO an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north a map and compasscompass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc)2 
[countable] (also compasses)HMSG a V-shaped instrument with one sharp point and a pen or pencil at the other end, used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps3 [uncountable] formalVARIOUS/OF DIFFERENT KINDS the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a bookcompass of Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points.COLLOCATIONSphrasesthe points of the compass/compass points (=the marks that show you north, south, east etc)She was teaching the children the points of the compass.a map and compassAlways take a map and compass with you in the mountains.compass + NOUNthe compass needle (=the long piece of metal that moves to show north)a compass bearing/reading (=a direction shown by a compass)We took a compass bearing to ensure we were walking in the right direction.compass errorTheir ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.verbsuse a compassSome of the kids were learning how to use a map and compass.set a compass (=adjust it so that the needle and the north mark are in line with each other)Wait until the needle settles, then set the compass.a compass shows somethingOur compass showed that we should bear right.
[countable]DLO an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north a map and compasscompass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc)2 [countable] (also compasses)HMSG a V-shaped instrument with one sharp point and a pen or pencil at the other end, used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps3 [uncountable] formalVARIOUS/OF DIFFERENT KINDS the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a bookcompass of Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points.COLLOCATIONSphrasesthe points of the compass/compass points (=the marks that show you north, south, east etc)She was teaching the children the points of the compass.a map and compassAlways take a map and compass with you in the mountains.compass + NOUNthe compass needle (=the long piece of metal that moves to show north)a compass bearing/reading (=a direction shown by a compass)We took a compass bearing to ensure we were walking in the right direction.compass errorTheir ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.verbsuse a compassSome of the kids were learning how to use a map and compass.set a compass (=adjust it so that the needle and the north mark are in line with each other)Wait until the needle settles, then set the compass.a compass shows somethingOur compass showed that we should bear right.Examples from the Corpus
compass• Some scientists think that they use the sun as a compass.• To cut a board around a curved or irregular object such as a stone or pipe, use a compass.• Our compass showed that the body pointed straight towards Skeleton Island, and in a line East-South-East and by East.• The very last thing I note is which direction a swim faces and for this I carry a small compass.• The exponent is guided by the directions of the compass and defends each area with a block and counter-attack.• This inner focus is truly the compass of our lives, directing us in the ways we live and behave.• The compass card will swing back when attitude is stabilised after the turn - Overshoot your heading.Origin compass (1300-1400) Old French compas “measure, circle, compass”, from compasser “to measure”, from Vulgar Latin compassare “to measure by walking”, from Latin com- ( → COM-) + passus ( → PACE1) 