compoundphrase

Compoundphrase is a term used in some linguistic writings to denote a unit of meaning formed by combining two or more words that functions as a single syntactic unit within a sentence. It sits alongside concepts such as compound words and multiword expressions, but it specifically emphasizes the unity of a phrase rather than a single lexical item. In practice, compound phrases cover a broad range of constructions, including compound nouns like green tea and data center; adjective-noun pairs such as high school; and fixed idiomatic expressions like kick the bucket or by and large. They can also include phrasal verbs such as give up, where the sequence of words operates as a single verbal unit.

Formation and properties: Compound phrases arise through productive compounding, routine adjective-noun combinations, or conventionalized multiword expressions that function as a unit in discourse. Their meanings can be transparent (green tea) or opaque (kick the bucket). Syntactically, their internal structure often constrains interpretation, yet they may show flexibility in modification and agreement across different contexts. Orthographically, compound phrases vary: some appear as closed compounds (greenhouse), some are hyphenated (two-by-four), and others remain as separate words (high school). Not all multiword expressions qualify as compound phrases; idioms may be fixed and semantically non-compositional while still behaving as a unit.

Relation to other terms: The label compoundphrase is not universally standard across grammars. Some analyses treat such units as multiword expressions or as phrasal constructions, rather than as a distinct category, while others use the term to spotlight the cohesive unit formed by multiple words. See also compound noun, phrasal verb, and multiword expression.