Noun
compound time (uncountable)
(music) Time in which each bar is made up of two or more simple bars.
"12/8" is a compound time type of time signature). Source: Internet
In compound time signatures, the beat consists of three note durations (so there are 3 quavers ( eighth notes ) per beat in a main time signature), so a dotted form of the next note duration up is used. Source: Internet
This system eliminates the need for compound time signatures (described above), which are confusing to beginners. Source: Internet