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. Compare immediate constituent, ultimate constituent.

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

Derived Forms

• conˈstituently, adverb

Other Words From

• con·stitu·ent·ly adverb
• noncon·stitu·ent adjective noun
• precon·stitu·ent 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

They floated the idea that such a prosecution, if allowed to stand, would criminalize routine dealings between elected officials and constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

President-elect Donald Trump opened his transition back to the White House this week with a flurry of personnel announcements that sent forceful messages to major constituent groups, potential political rivals and the country at large.

From Los Angeles Times

And in 2021, SNP MSP Karen Adam claimed Ross was "failing" his constituents "by thinking he can do both jobs properly".

From BBC

Moreover, the methods require significant computing power and can take weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the constituent molecules.

From Science Daily

“I recognize that some of my constituents feel safer with more police around,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times