constituent

American  

[kuhn-stich-oo-uhnt] / kənˈstɪtʃ u ənt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

See element.

Other Word Forms

• constituently adverb
• nonconstituent adjective
• preconstituent noun

Etymology

Origin of constituent

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

Example Sentences

An elected official who prioritizes actual constituent needs over personal ambition, media attention, or higher political aspirations represents a more valuable outcome than a charismatic outsider with limited governing experience.

From Los Angeles Times

Micron, which also makes dynamic random-access memory products, was the second-best performer in the S&P 500 in 2025 among yearlong constituents, gaining 239%.

From Barron's

Quoting Alexander Hamilton, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg observed, “’The United States and its constituent States, unlike foreign nations, are ‘kindred systems, parts of ONE WHOLE.’

From Salon

What fascinates them both is the connection they say MPs appear to have with their constituents.

From BBC

As a result, the S&P 500 has become more lopsided in favor of its biggest constituents.

From MarketWatch