component

noun com·po·nent \ kəm-ˈpō-nənt , ˈkäm-ˌpō- , käm-ˈpō- \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: component in a Sentence

Definition of component

1 : a constituent part : ingredient

an important component of the program

stereo components

2 a : any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant

b : a coordinate of a vector; also : either member of an ordered pair of numbers

—

componential

play \ˌkäm-pə-ˈnen(t)-shəl\ adjective

See component defined for English-language learners

See component defined for kids

Examples of component in a Sentence

the components of an electric circuit
He sells spare computer components.
The interview is a key component in the hiring process.
Hard work has been a major component of his success.

Recent Examples of component from the Web

Electronic waste will also be accepted, including monitors, printers, cellphones, fax machines, VCRs and computer components.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County Community News, June 8," 8 June 2018
Broad energy legislation enacted this year includes two components related to fuel cells.

— stephen singer, courant.com, "Steep Share Drop At FuelCell Energy Tied To Earnings Miss, Connecticut Energy Policy," 8 June 2018
The sculptures were chosen through a juried competition and vary in materials, with this year’s walk featuring a few interactive components.

— steve schering, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Park Sculpture Walk features a dozen pieces on display," 8 June 2018
This had a deterrence component to it: Because children can’t be held in jails, Sessions’s policy shift effectively mandated that they be separated from their parents and placed in the Department of Health and Human Services’ custody.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "The Immigration Forces Beyond Trump’s Control," 8 June 2018
More recently, Facebook added a live streaming component to its mobile Instant Games platform and struck a partnership with e-sports organization ESL One to broadcast Dota 2 and Counter-Strike GO competitions.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Fb.gg is Facebook’s game streaming hub for stealing Fortnite streamers away from Twitch," 7 June 2018
The league announced a multi-year agreement with CBS Sports back in March which included an additional online component that included some games being streamed on Stadium Network and Facebook.

— matt murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Conference USA reaches a new digital deal with ESPN," 7 June 2018
That means omitting goods for which there are few available substitutes, as well as parts and components.

— The Economist, "America’s allies should stand up to its reckless trade policy," 7 June 2018
These all require vast amounts of data and Intel provides the powerful components to make all that happen.

— susie gharib, Fortune, "Intel CEO Says Data is the New Oil," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'component.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of component

Latin component-, componens, present participle of componere to put together — more at compound

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1645

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

component Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of component

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

component

adjective

Definition of component

1 : serving or helping to constitute : constituent

component parts

2 of a video signal : split into multiple channels each carrying one particular set of data (such as one channel for black and white and one for color)

component input

— compare ¹composite 4

See component defined for English-language learners

Examples of component in a Sentence

the component parts of a machine

Recent Examples of component from the Web

Once Cerar stepped down as prime minister earlier this year and the squabbling of coalition partners disappeared from the headlines, his image as a decent and component prime minister returned.

— tim haughton, Washington Post, "Slovenia voted on Sunday. Is an anti-immigrant government on the way?," 5 June 2018