Definition & Meaning of "compound noun"in English

What is a "compound noun"?

A compound noun is a noun formed by combining two or more words that function as a single unit to represent a specific person, place, thing, or idea. These words can be written together as one word, as separate words, or with a hyphen, depending on the combination. For example, "toothbrush," "ice cream," and "mother-in-law" are all compound nouns. The meaning of a compound noun is usually more specific than the meanings of the individual words. Understanding compound nouns helps to identify how language combines elements to express more detailed concepts.