constituent

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

Definition of constituent

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

2 :a member of a constituency

pledged to help her elderly constituents

3 :an essential part :component, element

The organic constituents of plants, animals, and microorganisms …
—Harry S. Mosher et al.

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

Empirical work shows that legislators vote for the interests of their well-off constituents, not the public at large.

— The Economist, "Without governments, would countries have more inequality, or less?," 13 July 2017
Now, for the first time, according to the Monmouth poll, a majority of Mr. Christie’s constituents say New Jersey is worse off as a result of his tumultuous tenure.

— nick corasaniti, New York Times, "As His Popularity Craters, Christie Eyes Another Sharp-Elbow Job: Sports Radio Host," 10 July 2017
Despite pressure at home and abroad to convene fresh elections amid spiraling inflation, rampant crime and corruption allegations, Maduro has called for a constituent assembly at the end of this month.

— andrew rosati, Bloomberg.com, "Venezuelan Opposition Leader Lopez Is Sent Home From Prison," 8 July 2017
Some Republican senators are expected to hold town halls and hear from constituents, some of whom are likely to express grievances over the health-care debate.

— elaine godfrey, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Politics & Policy Daily: Trump Heads to the Poles," 5 July 2017
Clark was inspired to tackle online harassment after one of her constituents, video game developer Brianna Wu, suffered an onslaught of internet abuse during the 2014 GamerGate movement.

— rebecca nelson, Cosmopolitan, "How 1 Congresswoman Is Standing Up to Online Trolls," 29 June 2017
Constituents of Thorpe’s recently voted to increase minimum wage, a move that the Rep. had strongly opposed.

— kalina newman, USA TODAY College, "Peep this Arizona lawmaker who doesn't want college students to vote," 23 June 2017
Brooks explains, not one to throw any of his constituents under the bus.

— lauren larson, GQ, "The Ballad of Bobby Brooks, the First Gay Student Body President of Texas A&M," 22 June 2017
Both have been criticized for not holding town hall meetings this year, where angry constituents have shown up and directed their fury at GOP lawmakers for their role in the health care debate.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Alabama's Senate candidates on Obamacare: Repeal, replace or build on," 18 June 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.

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

See Words from the same year

constituent Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

whole

Related Words

basis, part and parcel; detail, item, particular, point; aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait; division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment; subcomponent

Near Antonyms

aggregate, composite, compound, mass; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality; admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

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

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

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

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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

play

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

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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 Synonyms

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Near Antonyms

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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