consist

1 of 2

verb

con·​sist kən-ˈsist 

consisted; consisting; consists

intransitive verb

1

: lie, reside

—usually used with in

Liberty consists in the absence of obstructions …

—A. E. Housman

"In her consists my happiness … "

—William Shakespeare

2

archaic

a

: exist, be

b

: to be capable of existing

3

: to be composed or made up

—usually used with of

Breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit.

The team consists of five players.

4

: to be consistent

it consists with the facts

consist

2 of 2

noun

con·​sist ˈkän-ˌsist 

: makeup or composition (as of coal sizes or a railroad train) by classes, types, or grades and arrangement

Synonyms of consist

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• conform

Examples of consist in a Sentence

Verb

that account consists with the information in the other reports

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Their list consists primarily of interventions such as more per-pupil funding, banning cellphones and restricting artificial intelligence in the classroom. — Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

While official passenger manifests and exact arrival times were closely guarded, local sources indicated the inaugural cohort consisted largely of South American nationals. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

During his seven-minute monologue, which consisted mainly of self-deprecating jokes about his appearance and weight, Gillis had a bit about going to the gym. — Maya Salam, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2026

For now, an initial version of Denver’s second unit has consisted primarily of Jones, Strawther, DeRozan, Spencer Jones and Bagley. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French consister "to lie, reside (in), stay permanently, comprise," borrowed from Latin consistere "to stop moving, come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed (of), be established (in a given state), come into existence," from con- con- + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1

Noun

derivative of consist entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consist

• consist in
• consist of

Rhymes for consist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

consist

verb

con·​sist

kən-ˈsist

: to be made up or composed

breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit

coal consists mostly of carbon