Definition of CONSTITUENTS (original) (raw)
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
1
: serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component
2
: having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for constituent
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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 See all Example Sentences for constituent 
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of constituent was in 1622
Dictionary Entries Near constituent
Cite this Entry
“Constituent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituent. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 19 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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