consist

American  

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

verb (used without object)

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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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”; stand, stasis, status

Example Sentences

The choices consist of stocks where the analysts believe they have “a differentiated view” based on proprietary data.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

My day doesn’t always consist of me picking my instrument up, but it’s more like as it feels right.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

These materials consist of layered structures that resemble graphene but are built from nitrogen rich ring shaped molecular units.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

The players use sledges with two blades and two sticks to push themselves and handle the puck, and games consist of three 15-minute periods.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The Fayu consist of about 400 hunter-gatherers, divided into four clans and wandering over a few hundred square miles.

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

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist