constituent

noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt 

-ˈstich-, 

-ˈsti-chü-ənt

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

: 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

Thus the constituents of noun phrases comprising noun plus adjective and noun plus genitive commonly adjoin one another.

—Calvert Watkins

4

dated, law : one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal

An agent paying for goods with his own money is entitled to repayment from his constituent.

—Leone Levi

Synonyms of constituent

• member
• component
• ingredient
• element
• factor

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Jeffries didn’t endorse Mamdani until late October, and Senator Chuck Schumer (a constituent of Goldman’s in Park Slope) never backed him at all. —Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026

State and local governments trying to strike a balance between looking forward and securing jobs in construction while weighing constituents' concerns about energy, infrastructure, environmental and labor impacts. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Former Mayor Harold Washington appears extensively — including a candid photo of Washington shaking hands with constituents while a young Obama lingers in the background. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Risch, 83, is running for fourth six-year term in the Senate, and promoted the SILVER Act as a way to level the investment playing field for his constituents. —Kevin Fixler june 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing constituent

• immediate constituent

Rhymes for constituent

• substituent

Kids Definition

constituent

1 of 2 noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈstich-(ə-)wənt 

1

: one of the parts of which a thing is made up : element, ingredient

2

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

constituent

2 of 2 adjective

1

: forming a part of a whole : component

2

: having the power to create a government or make or change a constitution

a constituent assembly

Legal Definition

constituent

1 of 2 noun

con·​stit·​u·​ent kən-ˈsti-chə-wənt 

1

: one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal

2

: a member of a constituency

constituent

2 of 2 adjective

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

a constituent assembly