In modern archery, a compound bow is a bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs. In general, compound bows are widely used in target practice and hunting.

A compound bow is a vertical bow that will use a cam or elliptical system on the ends of the bow to help bend the limbs. The levering mechanism on a compound bow helps reduce the amount of force required to hold the string at full draw. As a result, it gives a hunter more time to focus on the shot.