constituent

[kuhn-stich-oo-uhnt]

adjective

1. serving to compose or make up a thing; component.

   the constituent parts of a motor.

2. having power to frame or alter a political constitution or fundamental law, as distinguished from lawmaking power.

   a constituent assembly.

noun

1. an element, material, etc. that is part of something else; component.

2. a person who authorizes another to act on their behalf, such as a voter in a district represented by an elected official.

3. Grammar.,  an element considered as part of a construction.

constituent

/ kənˈstɪtjʊənt /

adjective

1. forming part of a whole; component

2. having the power to frame a constitution or to constitute a government (esp in the phrases constituent assembly, constituent power )

3. rare,  electing or having the power to elect

noun

1. a component part; ingredient

2. a resident of a constituency, esp one entitled to vote

3. law a person who appoints another to act for him, as by power of attorney

4. linguistics a word, phrase, or clause forming a part of a larger construction Compare immediate constituent ultimate constituent

Other Word Forms

• constituently adverb
• nonconstituent adjective
• preconstituent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constituent¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin constituent- (stem of constituēns, present participle of constituere “to set up, found, constitute),” equivalent to con- con- + -stitu- (combining form of statuere “to set up”) + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of constituent¹

C17: from Latin constituēns setting up, from constituere to establish, _constitute

Synonym Study

See element.

Example Sentences

Ultimately, she said, it’s her constituents who lose representation while she’s denied a seat in Congress.

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In a statement endorsing Pearson, Hogg said that he was “a tested fighter who will deliver opportunity, affordability, safety, and justice to his constituents.”

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“This is a priority for the California delegation — to make sure our constituents are returned safely. And we are putting pressure on Israel to do that.”

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Dunlap said that his constituents have also complained that Golden is inaccessible.

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Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, who represents California’s 37th District, said cuts will hit her constituents hard, noting that there are 400,000 people who rely on Medicaid.

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