Constitute Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CONSTITUTE

formal

1

not used in progressive tenses,

[linking verb]

:

to make up or form something

• Women constitute 70 percent of the student population at the college.
• Twelve months constitute a year. [=a year is made up of 12 months]

2

not used in progressive tenses,

[linking verb]

:

to be the same as something

:

to be equivalent to something

• The court determined that the search of their house constituted [=_amounted to_] a violation of their rights.

3

[+ object]

:

to establish or create (an organization, a government, etc.)

— usually used as (be) constituted

• The recently constituted government will hold elections in May.