constituency

[kuhn-stich-oo-uhn-see]

noun

plural

constituencies 

1. a body of constituents; the voters or residents in a district represented by an elective officer.

2. the district itself.

3. any body of supporters, customers, etc.; clientele.

constituency

/ kənˈstɪtjʊənsɪ /

noun

1. the whole body of voters who elect one representative to a legislature or all the residents represented by one deputy

2. 1. a district that sends one representative to a legislature

   2. ( as modifier )

      constituency organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of constituency¹

First recorded in 1825–35; constitu(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

Sri Lanka's parliament also suspended its budget debate so that legislators could return to their constituencies to deal with the damage.

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He now argues that, according to the constitution, Zambia needs to create new constituencies every 10 years.

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Now, when Norman examines the current landscape, he sees the players—the constituency he says he was fighting for all along—as better off.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Others represent constituencies where China-linked businesses are major employers, or where tourism is a major source of income.

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That may depend on whether a politician's constituency is under threat from Reform UK and Conservatives on the right, or the Liberal Democrats and Greens on the left.

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Related Words

• county 
• district 
• electorate 
• faction 
• nation 
• precinct