consist

1 of 2

verb

con·​sist kən-ˈsist 

consisted; consisting; consists

intransitive verb

1

: lie, reside

—usually used with in

Liberty consists in the absence of obstructions …

—A. E. Housman

"In her consists my happiness … "

—William Shakespeare

2

archaic

a

: exist, be

b

: to be capable of existing

3

: to be composed or made up

—usually used with of

Breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit.

The team consists of five players.

4

: to be consistent

it consists with the facts

consist

2 of 2

noun

con·​sist ˈkän-ˌsist 

: makeup or composition (as of coal sizes or a railroad train) by classes, types, or grades and arrangement

Synonyms

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• conform
• agree

Examples of consist in a Sentence

Verb

that account consists with the information in the other reports

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the time, Ukraine’s air force consisted largely of Soviet-era aircraft. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

The menu consists mostly of a caviar list and a $95 per person prix fixe. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025

These were casks previously used to age Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine (a blend that consists mostly of Grenache Noir, along with some Syrah, and a bit of Mourvèdre, among a few other grape varietals). —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

Whereas my life at that time consisted purely of practicalities. —Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French consister "to lie, reside (in), stay permanently, comprise," borrowed from Latin consistere "to stop moving, come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed (of), be established (in a given state), come into existence," from con- con- + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1

Noun

derivative of consist entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consist

• consist in
• consist of

Rhymes for consist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

consist

verb

con·​sist

kən-ˈsist

: to be made up or composed

breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit

coal consists mostly of carbon