constitute

[ kon-sti-toot, -tyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, con·sti·tut·ed, con·sti·tut·ing.

1. to compose; form:

   mortar constituted of lime and sand.

2. to appoint to an office or function; make or create:

   He was constituted treasurer.

3. to establish (laws, an institution, etc.).

   Synonyms: commission, institute

4. to give legal form to (an assembly, court, etc.).
5. to create or be tantamount to:

   Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.

6. Archaic. to set or place.

constitute

/ ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

1. to make up; form; compose

   the people who constitute a jury

2. to appoint to an office or function

   a legally constituted officer

3. to set up (a school or other institution) formally; found
4. law to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)
5. obsolete.
   law to set up or enact (a law)

Derived Forms

• ˈconstiˌtuter, noun

Other Words From

• consti·tuter consti·tutor noun
• non·consti·tuted adjective
• pre·consti·tute verb (used with object) preconstituted preconstituting
• self-consti·tuted adjective
• self-consti·tuting adjective
• un·consti·tuted adjective
• well-consti·tuted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin constitūtus, past participle of constituere “to set up, found”; constituent

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place

Example Sentences

While these symptoms do not constitute a disorder diagnosed as psychosis, they can still be disruptive, distressing or detrimental to functional capacity.

From Science Daily

"As a result, we believe that combining an immunotherapy with a chemotherapy in a single pharmacological agent constitutes a promising new approach for treating the more challenging forms of influenza virus infection," he said.

From Science Daily

“Turkey’s attacks on energy infrastructure have had a devastating impact on civilians,” said Aarif Abraham, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, adding: “This could constitute a severe violation of international law.”

From BBC

The FA said this constituted an "aggravated breach... as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin".

From BBC

"The very ability to develop new products relies on knowing if the compounds that constitute them will crystallize, how many crystal forms are possible, and the stability of these various forms," said Tuckerman.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• create
• establish