What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are linked together with coordinating conjunctions (such as "and," "but," or "or"). These clauses can stand alone as separate sentences, but are linked together to show a relationship between them. Compound sentences can also be joined using semicolons or a semicolon-conjunctive adverb combination. Compound sentences can be used to add more detail and complexity to writing, and can also be used to show contrast or comparison between ideas.