constituent

1 of 2

noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈstich-wənt 

-ˈsti-chə-,

-ˈsti-chü-ənt

1

: a member of a constituency

pledged to help her elderly constituents

2

: an essential part : component, element

The organic constituents of plants, animals, and microorganisms …

—Harry S. Mosher et al.

3

: one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal

4

: a structural unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological category that consists of one or more linguistic elements (such as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur as a component of a larger construction

constituent

2 of 2

adjective

1

: serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component

constituent parts

2

: having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution

a constituent assembly

constituently adverb

Synonyms

Noun

• building block
• component
• element
• factor
• ingredient
• member

Choose the Right Synonym for constituent

element, component, constituent, ingredient mean one of the parts of a compound or complex whole.

element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity.

the basic elements of geometry

component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character.

the components of a stereo system

constituent stresses its essential and formative character.

the constituents of a chemical compound

ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture.

the ingredients of a cocktail

Examples of constituent in a Sentence

Noun

She's pledged to help her elderly constituents.

Many senators have received calls from constituents who want them to vote in favor of the law.

the chemical constituents of the liquid

Adjective

The company can be separated into several constituent parts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The latest: Axios Portland asked Novick, who will be representing District 3, what his top priority is and what constituents might not know about him. —Kale Williams, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

The sounds of everyone’s voices, constituents and politicians alike, convey as much as their words do, and the intimacy enhances the maddening implications. —The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Traditionally, organizations see a capital project as a single behemoth, broken down into a number of constituent components that ultimately must come together at the end for the project to succeed. —Dave Clark suketu Gandhi, Harvard Business Review, 10 Dec. 2024

The draw of multiple artists and galleries from all over the continent (and the diaspora) is undeniable; however, this year’s edition showcased one of the fair’s constituent elements that has played a unique role in its growth: program diversity. —Tobe Otuogbodor, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French constituant, from Middle French, from present participle of constituer to constitute, from Latin constituere — see constitute

Adjective

Latin constituent-, constituens, present participle of constituere — see constituent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing constituent

• immediate constituent

Kids Definition

constituent

1 of 2 noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈstich-(ə-)wənt 

1

: one of the parts of which a thing is made up : element, ingredient

2

: any of the voters who elect a person to represent them

constituent

2 of 2 adjective

1

: forming a part of a whole : component

2

: having the power to create a government or make or change a constitution

a constituent assembly

Legal Definition

constituent

1 of 2 noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt 

1

: one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal

2

: a member of a constituency

constituent

2 of 2 adjective

: having the power to create a government or to frame or amend a constitution

a constituent assembly