consist

American  

[kuhn-sist, kon-sist] / kənˈsɪst, ˈkɒn sɪst /

verb (used without object)

consists, present (3rd person singular) consisted, past participle, past consisting present participle

1. to be made up or composed (usually followed byof ).

   This cake consists mainly of sugar, flour, and butter.

2. to be comprised or contained (usually followed byin ).

   Her charm does not consist only in her beauty.

3. Archaic. to exist together or be capable of existing together.

4. Obsolete. to insist; urge.

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noun

1. Railroads.

   1. the rolling stock, exclusive of the locomotive, making up a train.

   2. a record made of this rolling stock.

consist British  

/ kənˈsɪst /

verb

1. (foll by of) to be composed (of); be formed (of)

   syrup consists of sugar and water

2. to have its existence (in); lie (in); be expressed (by)

   his religion consists only in going to church

3. to be compatible or consistent; accord

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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has consisted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have consisted
  perfect
• have been consisting
  perfect progressive
• am consisting
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been consisting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is consisting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are consisting
  progressive
• consisting
  participle
• consists
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had consisted
  perfect
• had been consisting
  perfect progressive
• was consisting
  progressive singular
• were consisting
  progressive plural
• consisted
  participle
• consisted
  simple

Future

• will consist
  simple
• will have consisted
  perfect
• will have been consisting
  perfect progressive
• will be consisting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of consist

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin consistere “to stand together, stand firm,” from con- con- + sistere “to stand, cause to stand”; see also stand, stasis, status

Explanation

Almost always used with the preposition "of," the verb consist means to be made up of, or composed of something. A heated conversation might consist of only two words: "yes" and "no." If you're talking about something that is made up of other things, consist is your word. A molecule consists of atoms and their bonds. Consist is often used in the past tense, so you're likely to hear it used in a sentence like "the game consisted of fourteen players and one stick." But you can use it in the present tense too. Grammar consists of many, many different rules, all of which are applied differently, depending on whether you're speaking or writing. The clubs all consist of singers, and singers only. If you play an instrument, look elsewhere, bud.

Example Sentences

Instead, the study tracked joint ventures and limited liability company investments that typically consist of stakes in private equity, venture capital, real estate and hedge funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

The fund will consist of a five-member commission, four of those appointed by the Attorney General, and will receive $1.776 billion to allow the justice department to settle and pay cases.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Bollinger bands consist of three lines: the middle band tracks a stock’s 20-day simple average, and the upper and lower bands are set two standard deviations away from the middle.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

They consist of pairs of poles on each side of the road, with a strip of wire mesh strung between and running down to the ground on either side.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Hence one has to suspect that the charcoal samples dated from the oldest human occupation levels consist of post-Clovis charcoal infiltrated with older carbon.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist