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

Past

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

Future

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

Unlike Earth's clouds, they would likely consist of minerals such as silicates rather than water droplets.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

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

Companies often invest in their younger workers through training and career development, while midlife offerings consist solely of a retirement calculator, Clinton said.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

The second celebrity version of the show will consist of ten hour-long episodes.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Actually, most alphabets consist of only about 20 or 30 letters, and most languages have more phonemes than their alphabets have letters.

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

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist