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

MPs normally gauge the mood of their constituents via the emails that flood into their offices, discussions and regular meetings.

From BBC

Trish Purdy, a city councillor, unsuccessfully fought to remove a proposed designated site in her district, after hearing from constituents who feared it would bring crime and drug use.

From BBC

She refused to criticise colleagues who are against the Bill, including Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who wrote to her constituents this weekend saying the proposed changes would create a “slippery slope to death on demand”.

From BBC

In her own remarks, McBride has acknowledged what many view as the bigotry at the root of the Republican measures, but also tried to refocus the conversation on getting things done for her constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

John Prescott's constituents have remembered him as a "strong character who did good for the city".

From BBC