constituent

noun

con·stit·u·ent | \kən-ˈstich-wənt,

-ˈsti-chə-, -ˈsti-chü-ənt\

Definition of constituent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a member of a constituency pledged to help her elderly constituents

2 : an essential part : component, element The organic constituents of plants, animals, and microorganisms …— Harry S. Mosher et al.

3 : one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal

4 : a structural unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological category that consists of one or more linguistic elements (such as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur as a component of a larger construction

constituent

adjective

Definition of constituent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component constituent parts

2 : having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution a constituent assembly

Other Words from constituent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about constituent

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Synonyms & Antonyms for constituent

Synonyms: Noun

building block, component, element, factor, ingredient, member

Antonyms: Noun

whole

Choose the Right Synonym for constituent

Noun

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

Examples of constituent in a Sentence

Noun

She's pledged to help her elderly constituents. Many senators have received calls from constituents who want them to vote in favor of the law. the chemical constituents of the liquid

Adjective

The company can be separated into several constituent parts.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some cities, too, are frustrated with the service, saying there is no mechanism for local politicians to have a dialogue with constituents on the site. — New York Times, "Nextdoor Is Betting a Social Network Can Still Be a Platform for Politics," 13 July 2018 Despite this, Walters and Rohrabacher continue to vote out of step with their constituents. — latimes.com, "Koll Center project would not impact established residential neighborhoods," 8 June 2018 Brenda campaigned hard as a teacher who opposed the pension bill and said that Shell had lost touch with his constituents in the district, which is comprised by Garrard and Rockcastle counties and part of Madison County. — Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky House Republican Leader Jonathan Shell loses race to teacher," 22 May 2018 Council members occasionally talk among themselves or with constituents while the clerk is reading. — Robert Higgs, cleveland.com, "Some of ex-Councilman Joe Cimperman's ethics charges involve votes on ordinances that didn't name the recipient of the contract," 15 May 2018 About 20 citizens attended Parish Councilman Gene Bellisario's regular monthly meeting with his constituents to hear from him and parish Environmental Services Director Greg Gorden. — Robert Rhoden, NOLA.com, "Citizens demand improvements to Tammany Utilities East," 9 May 2018 The company was able to reach an arrangement with major constituents to its musical instruments business, but not the consumer-electronics business, Fox said. — Time, "Guitar Fans Fret As Legendary Maker Gibson Files for Bankruptcy," 1 May 2018 Clark said Democratic members of Congress have been inundated with calls from constituents who are fired up about stopping the separations. — Liz Goodwin, BostonGlobe.com, "Democrats flood border, demanding answers on immigrant child separations," 25 June 2018 Moderate members, who are the most vulnerable and whose constituents are looking for solutions to DACA and immigration, forced leadership to take up immigration legislation. — NBC News, "Trump's immigration reversal creates complications for GOP candidates," 22 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

All of these legislative and constituent pressures are converting Congress from an institution that could once think problems through to responsible conclusions into one that substitutes political reflex for reflection. — James L. Buckley, National Review, "Preserving Our Republic as Federal Government Expands," 6 Feb. 2018 Our theory of change here is that the power that any individual local activist has is constituent power. — Michelle Goldberg, Slate Magazine, "How Chuck Schumer Found His Spine," 30 Jan. 2017 May 9, 2017 Constituent questions about health care have dominated Labrador’s latest run of town hall meetings around his district, which covers the entire western part of the state from the Canadian border south to the Nevada line. — Bill Dentzer, idahostatesman, "Labrador files papers for governor run, plans announcement in ‘coming weeks’," 9 May 2017 Constituent pressure such as this led two Republican senators to abandon support for Trump’s education secretary nominee, who was confirmed only when Vice President Pence broke a Senate deadlock. — Sandhya Somashekhar, Washington Post, "Trump has galvanized activists on the left. Can they stay energized?," 29 Apr. 2017 Afterward, most constituent mail is scanned and forwarded to congressional offices as an electronic image. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, "What Calling Congress Achieves," 6 Mar. 2017 Presidents have dealt with constituent mail differently over the years. — Jeanne Marie Laskas, New York Times, "To Obama With Love, and Hate, and Desperation," 17 Jan. 2017

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