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

While many Republicans applaud Mr. Trump’s approach to trade, some lawmakers fear being forced to pick between protecting their constituents from economic harm or backing a president who is inclined to hit back at those who oppose him. — Andrew Duehren, WSJ, "Some GOP Lawmakers Seek to Rein In Trump on Trade," 13 July 2018 Instead, Nextdoor wants to help public agencies reach their constituents. — New York Times, "Nextdoor Is Betting a Social Network Can Still Be a Platform for Politics," 13 July 2018 A month in, Messrs Di Maio and Salvini continue to focus on their own constituents rather than on governing together. — The Economist, "Italy’s government proposes to limit fixed-term job contracts," 6 July 2018 Senator McCaskill ignored her constituents and voted against him. — Bryan Lowry, kansascity, "Newly open seat on Supreme Court puts pressure on McCaskill in key Senate race," 27 June 2018 Both Republicans have been key figures in the push for a new U.S. immigration policy, but both face tough reelection challenges in heavily Hispanic districts where immigration remains a top issue among their constituents. — Alex Daugherty And David Smiley, miamiherald, "Trump says wait on immigration, but Curbelo and Diaz-Balart have no time to waste," 22 June 2018 Councilwoman Margaret Uzelac, D-4th, said her constituents miss the former Strack & Van Til location and that a grocer is the ideal choice for the location. — Cain Buchmeier, Post-Tribune, "Merrillville looking for grocer to replace former Strack & Van Til location," 15 June 2018 Members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, will be informed a lot by their constituents. — Dana Bash, CNN, "How Giuliani wins by being 'the craziest guy in the room'," 31 May 2018 Naturally, Trump then suggested that the mayor of Oakland should be charged with obstruction of justice for warning her constituents of an impending immigration raid in February. — Isobel Thompson, The Hive, "White House Doubles Down After Trump Says Illegal Immigrants “Aren’t People”," 17 May 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.