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

Politicians don’t like CRISPRed babies because their constituents are largely very nervous about CRISPRed babies. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "The case for and against CRISPR IVF clinics opening in the US.," 6 Dec. 2018 Pride is a major event in the region, and @ChrisMonzel should take all of his constituents into account and recognize everybody. — Cincinnati.com, "Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel didn't sign gay pride proclamation," 22 June 2018 Those constituents are worried about how to absorb the potentially higher bills at a time when wages are stagnant and the median annual income in Indianapolis, when adjusted for inflation, has declined in recent years. — Sarah Bowman, Indianapolis Star, "IPL wants to raise rates, but the City won't be able to weigh in or stop them — here's why," 4 May 2018 Since leaving the Republican Party, Fukumoto added that her constituents have been supportive, regardless of her political affiliation. — NBC News, "Hawaii Rep. Beth Fukumoto, Republican turned Democrat, announces bid for Congress," 29 Mar. 2018 Governors make transportation a priority Several governors who won decisively last night campaigned on promises to bring better transit to their constituents. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Transit on the ballot: How cities voted to fund transportation," 7 Nov. 2018 But it can also be seen as a politician unable to keep even the most basic promise to his constituents. — Ronald J. Hansen, azcentral, "Rep. Paul Gosar takes a tax break on his 'primary' residence. It's not in his district," 22 May 2018 In a message to constituents last week, the four-term congressman from Turlock (Stanislaus County) said Congress should not be leaving the fate of DACA recipients up to the courts. — Gayle Putrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "California Republicans close to forcing vote on DACA bills in House," 17 May 2018 Photo: Natalie Andrews/The Wall Street Journal At Mitt Romney’s first town hall as a senator on Tuesday, a constituent suggested divorce mediators for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and Mr. Trump to negotiate their demands. — Natalie Andrews, WSJ, "In Utah, Anxious Federal Workers Press Lawmakers to End Shutdown," 23 Jan. 2019

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.