1. Percent Composition Percentage of each element in a compound.
By mass.
Can be determined from:
The formula of the compound.
The experimental mass analysis of the compound.
The percentages may not always total to 100% due to rounding.
Tro's "Introductory Chemistry", Chapter 6

2. Mass Percent as a Conversion Factor
The mass percent tells you the mass of a constituent element in 100 g of the compound.
The fact that NaCl is 39% Na by mass means that 100 g of NaCl contains 39 g Na.
This can be used as a conversion factor.
100 g NaCl  39 g Na
Tro's "Introductory Chemistry", Chapter 6