consist

[kuhn-sist, kon-sist]

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.

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. 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

The National Guard consists of primarily state-based troops that typically respond to issues like natural disasters or large protests.

From BBC

The solid mass weighed as much as eight double-decker buses and consisted mainly of wet wipes held together by fat, oil and grease.

From BBC

She represents the state’s 3rd Congressional District, which consists of four-and-a-half eastern counties, ranging from rural farmland to the highly urban, Kansas City metropolitan area.

From Salon

Managing a network TV news division largely consists of keeping an eye on costs, ratings and maintaining a pipeline of stories for dozens of hours of scheduled programming each week.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time the child died, officers found the defendants' home to be in a "poor" condition, and the family's vegetarian diet mainly consisted of yogurt, lentils and butter, Mr McGhee said.

From BBC

Related Words

• dwell 
• subsist