constitute

American  

[kon-sti-toot, -tyoot] / ˈkɒn stɪˌtut, -ˌtyut /

verb (used with object)

constituted, constituting

1. to compose; form.

   mortar constituted of lime and sand.

2. to appoint to an office or function; make or create.

   He was constituted treasurer.

3. to establish (laws, an institution, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   commission, institute

4. to give legal form to (an assembly, court, etc.).

5. to create or be tantamount to.

   Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.

6. Archaic. to set or place.

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constitute British  

/ ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

1. to make up; form; compose

   the people who constitute a jury

2. to appoint to an office or function

   a legally constituted officer

3. to set up (a school or other institution) formally; found

4. law to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)

5. obsolete law to set up or enact (a law)

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Other Word Forms

• constituter noun
• constitutor noun
• nonconstituted adjective
• preconstitute verb (used with object)
• self-constituted adjective
• self-constituting adjective
• unconstituted adjective
• well-constituted adjective

Etymology

Origin of constitute

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin constitūtus, past participle of constituere “to set up, found”; constituent

Example Sentences

This categorization didn’t constitute a formal regulation; rather the agency was using its discretion not to go after compounders who used ingredients it deemed safe — those from the first category.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

While controversial in South Africa, courts have ruled it does not constitute hate speech and should be considered in the context of the struggle against white-minority rule that ended in 1994.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

It does not constitute personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Janus Henderson said Wednesday the board determined the offer doesn’t constitute a “superior proposal” under the terms of its existing merger agreement, citing significant closing risks and uncertain value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Chlorofluorocarbons are also not very abundant–they constitute only about one part per billion of the atmosphere as a whole–but they are extravagantly destructive.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• create
• establish