A composite number is a positive integer greater than 1 that has more than two distinct positive divisors, or in other words, it can be evenly divided by numbers other than 1 and itself.
In contrast, prime numbers have only two distinct divisors, 1 and the number itself.
Composite numbers can be factored into multiple smaller positive integers. For example, 4 is a composite number because it can be divided by 1, 2, and 4.
Other examples of composite numbers include 6, 8, 9, and 12.