Definition of CONSTITUTE (original) (raw)
1
: [make up](/dictionary/make up), form, compose
12 months constitute a year.
… high school dropouts who constitute a major problem in large city slums.—
J. B. Conant
2
a
: enact
regulations as are constituted by the government
b
: found
constitute a provisional government
c(1)
: to give due or lawful form to
an agreement constituted by writing
3
: to appoint to an office, function, or dignity
Legal authority constitutes all magistrates.
Synonyms
Examples of constitute in a Sentence
Women constitute 70 percent of the student population at the college. nine players constitute a baseball team
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 fact is not a lot has been going on lately publicly in the legal duels between CAA and the agency’s ex-staffers over at Range Media Partners over equity, competition and the shifting line of what may or may not constitute being an agent, until Monday – when all Hell broke loose. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025 Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025 Before even taking office, Trump, in an effort to buoy dollar supremacy, targeted the BRICS nations (which constitute more than 40 percent of the world’s population) with currency tariffs. —Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025 Your threshold of what constitutes a high loan amount depends on your circumstances. —Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for constitute 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere to set up, constitute, from com- + statuere to set — more at statute
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of constitute was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near constitute
Cite this Entry
“Constitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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