First Known Use: 1622
Dictionary
1constituent
noun con·stit·u·ent \-wənt, -ənt\
: any one of the people who live and vote in an area : a member of a constituency
: one of the parts that form something
Full Definition of CONSTITUENT
1
: one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal
2
: a member of a constituency
4
: a structural unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological category that consists of one or more linguistic elements (as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur as a component of a larger construction
See constituent defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CONSTITUENT
French constituant, from Middle French, from present participle of constituer to constitute, from Latin constituere
Related to CONSTITUENT
- Synonyms
- building block, component, element, factor, ingredient, member
- Antonyms
- whole
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Other Government and Politics Terms
2constituent
adjective
: forming part of a whole
Full Definition of CONSTITUENT
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>
— con·stit·u·ent·ly adverb
See constituent defined for English-language learners
Origin of CONSTITUENT
Latin constituent-, constituens, present participle of constituere
First Known Use: 1660
Other Government and Politics Terms
CONSTITUENT Defined for Kids
1constituent
noun con·stit·u·ent \kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt\
Definition of CONSTITUENT for Kids
1
: one of the parts or materials of which something is made : element, ingredient
2
: any of the voters who elect a person to represent them
2constituent
adjective
Definition of CONSTITUENT for Kids
: forming part of a whole
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