constituent

noun con·stit·u·ent \ kən-ˈstich-wənt , -ˈsti-chə- , -ˈsti-chü-ənt \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of constituent

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

See constituent defined for English-language learners

See constituent defined for kids

Examples of constituent in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of constituent from the Web

Ryan, meanwhile, appeared to be losing ground in his district, with the Times reported that his constituents were growing disappointed in his absenteeism and frequent kowtowing to Trump.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Paul Ryan Joins G.O.P. Retreat, Abandons Run in 2018," 11 Apr. 2018
The conference helps hone the political message that House members communicate to constituents.

— herb jackson, USA TODAY, "Taxpayer-funded ads on Facebook for House offices topped $340,000 last year," 9 Apr. 2018
Unlike the legislators and their constituents for whom gun rights is a matter of identity, Delta’s leadership is likely motivated by a rational, cost-benefit analysis.

— Fortune, "Commentary: Why Boycotting the NRA Will Never Work," 12 Mar. 2018
Jones is obviously the better man, but this is what happens when Democrats only pay passing lip service to their constituents, obey the money, and adhere strictly to campaign ideas that have failed them over and over.

— drew magary, GQ, "The Democrats Can't Stop Using the Same Broken Playbook," 8 Mar. 2018
Voters do appreciate honesty and integrity, and Democrats owe it to their constituents to be consistent champions of what liberals believe in: equality, fairness, opportunity, compassion, rationality, education.

— jill filipovic, Cosmopolitan, "Election Day Was More Than Just a Good Day for Democrats. It Was a Message.," 9 Nov. 2017
On issues including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and offshore drilling, the poll suggested Rohrabacher's constituents are increasingly landing on the left.

— christine mai-duc, latimes.com, "In an already tough election year, Dana Rohrabacher is struggling with his own party," 5 Apr. 2018
Advocates for soda taxes have struggled in recent years to win over constituents whole-heartedly, but new research may give their cause a big boost.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Soda Tax Advocates Just Got a New Weapon in Their Battle Against Sugar," 5 Apr. 2018
But now that’s forcing them to walk a fine line in the months before midterm elections between placating constituents who are angry over education cuts and conservative supporters who want a smaller government and low taxes.

— sean murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Oklahoma’s Fallin: Striking teachers like teenagers," 5 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of constituent

French constituant, from Middle French, from present participle of constituer to constitute, from Latin constituere — see constitute

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1622

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

constituent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of constituent

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

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

constituent

adjective

Definition of constituent

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

—

constituently

adverb

See constituent defined for English-language learners

Examples of constituent in a Sentence

The company can be separated into several constituent parts.

Recent Examples of constituent from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of constituent

Latin constituent-, constituens, present participle of constituere — see ¹constituent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1660

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

CONSTITUENT Defined for English Language Learners

constituent

noun

Definition of constituent for English Language Learners

: any one of the people who live and vote in an area : a member of a constituency
: one of the parts that form something

constituent

adjective

Definition of constituent for English Language Learners

: forming part of a whole

CONSTITUENT Defined for Kids

constituent

noun con·stit·u·ent \ kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt \

Definition of constituent for Students

1 : one of the parts or materials of which something is made : element, ingredient

2 : any of the voters who elect a person to represent them

constituent

adjective

Definition of constituent for Students

: forming part of a whole

Law Dictionary

constituent

noun con·stit·u·ent \ kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt \

legal Definition of constituent

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

2 : a member of a constituency

constituent

adjective

legal Definition of constituent

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

a constituent assembly

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constituent

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Synonym Discussion of constituent

Other Government and Politics Terms

constituent

Definition of constituent

constituently

Examples of constituent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of constituent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of constituent

Other Government and Politics Terms

CONSTITUENT Defined for English Language Learners

constituent

Definition of constituent for English Language Learners

constituent

Definition of constituent for English Language Learners

CONSTITUENT Defined for Kids

constituent

Definition of constituent for Students

constituent

Definition of constituent for Students

Law Dictionary

constituent

legal Definition of constituent

constituent

legal Definition of constituent

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