constituency

noun

con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈstich-wən(t)-sē 

-ˈsti-chə-,

-ˈsti-chü-ən(t)-

plural constituencies

1

a

: a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive position)

the governor's liberal constituency

b

: the residents in an electoral district

The senator's constituency includes a large minority population.

c

: an electoral district

2

a

: a group or body that patronizes, supports, or offers representation

creating … a grass-roots constituency for continuing the project

—Fred Reed

b

: the people involved in or served by an organization (such as a business or institution)

… regards its corporate customers as its prime constituency.

—Andrew Hacker

Examples of constituency in a Sentence

The senator's constituency includes a large minority population.

He was elected to represent a Liverpool constituency.

Recent Examples on the Web

In her emotional courtroom statement, Javice directly apologized to multiple constituencies affected by her fraud. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025

Politics depends on coalitions of the willing, but who, exactly, comprises the constituency for gentleness? —Michael Luo, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025

Nasik Emmanuel Shahid Watson benAvraham, the CEO and president of The Voices of Organic Black Men, responded in his own op-ed, noting that Black support for Democrats wasn’t guaranteed but argued that Sherrill was meeting the moment for the key constituency in a way that Ciattarelli wasn’t. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025

Beyond the medium-to-long-term impact on who does business with India, such activity could eventually expand the constituencies in India that want greater accommodation with China. —Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see constitute

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing constituency

• multimember constituency
• single-member constituency

Kids Definition

constituency

noun

con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈstich-(ə-)wən-sē 

plural constituencies

1

: a body of citizens having the right to elect a representative to a legislature

2

: the people living in an electoral district

3

: an electoral district

Legal Definition

constituency

noun

con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈsti-chə-wən-sē 

plural constituencies

1

: a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive office)

2

: the residents in an electoral district

3

: an electoral district