consist

[ verb kuhn-sist; noun kon-sist ]

verb (used without object)

1. to be made up or composed (usually followed by of ):

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

2. to be comprised or contained (usually followed by in ):

   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.

noun

1. Railroads.
   1. the rolling stock, exclusive of the locomotive, making up a train.
   2. a record made of this rolling stock.

consist

/ kənˈsɪst /

verb

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

   syrup consists of sugar and water

2. foll byin or of 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of consist¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of consist¹

C16: from Latin consistere to halt, stand firm, from sistere to stand, cause to stand; related to stāre to stand

Example Sentences

Additionally, its pads apart from the ride and snare consist of only one detection zone.

From Popular-Science

“Missions” essentially consist of annihilating all means of transportation in small, vaguely Middle Eastern/African cities.

From The Daily Beast

Though the rings look solid, they consist of a huge number of icy particles that reflect sunlight back.

From The Daily Beast

“Yes, there are dissidents and maybe they consist of one percent or two percent of the population,” he told PBS in 1999.

From The Daily Beast

His suggestion: “a telepathy shield” that “would consist of a thin metal foil around the brain.”

From The Daily Beast

Arnold said her ten plaintiffs are just the ones they named, and she “expects the class to consist of over 100,000 people.”

From The Daily Beast

The differences in the three great makers seems to be now decided to consist in fullness of tone and quantity of power.

From Project Gutenberg

They consist of a more or less dense network of hyph and numerous round or oval refractive spores.

From Project Gutenberg

The group appeared to consist of three islands, all low and of small size.

From Project Gutenberg

They both consist of naked, inhospitable masses of rock, and serve at most as resting places for a few gulls.

From Project Gutenberg

We are told their ideas of government consist in believing that implicit obedience is due both to king and priests.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist