constituent

[kuhn-stich-oo-uhnt]

adjective

1. serving to compose or make up a thing; component.

   the constituent parts of a motor.

2. having power to frame or alter a political constitution or fundamental law, as distinguished from lawmaking power.

   a constituent assembly.

noun

1. an element, material, etc. that is part of something else; component.

2. a person who authorizes another to act on their behalf, such as a voter in a district represented by an elected official.

3. Grammar.,  an element considered as part of a construction.

constituent

/ kənˈstɪtjʊənt /

adjective

1. forming part of a whole; component

2. having the power to frame a constitution or to constitute a government (esp in the phrases constituent assembly, constituent power )

3. rare,  electing or having the power to elect

noun

1. a component part; ingredient

2. a resident of a constituency, esp one entitled to vote

3. law a person who appoints another to act for him, as by power of attorney

4. linguistics a word, phrase, or clause forming a part of a larger construction Compare immediate constituent ultimate constituent

Other Word Forms

• constituently adverb
• nonconstituent adjective
• preconstituent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constituent¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin constituent- (stem of constituēns, present participle of constituere “to set up, found, constitute),” equivalent to con- con- + -stitu- (combining form of statuere “to set up”) + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of constituent¹

C17: from Latin constituēns setting up, from constituere to establish, _constitute

Synonym Study

See element.

Example Sentences

Another could be whether or not Democratic candidates are willing to recognize Israel’s war as a genocide, something on which the party’s constituents increasingly agree.

From Salon

"I was shocked when constituents contacted me yesterday."

From BBC

Smyth previously told the Daily Record that the visit to Holyrood on 15 August had been requested by constituents and "was in the diary for months".

From BBC

"I also want to make sure that constituents, regardless of whether they've got disabilities or not, feel that this is their house too."

From BBC

"David was a talented and sensitive person with a great flair for words and passion for his constituents."

From BBC