constitute
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to compose; form.
mortar constituted of lime and sand.
-
to appoint to an office or function; make or create.
He was constituted treasurer.
-
to establish (laws, an institution, etc.).
- Synonyms:
- commission, institute
-
to give legal form to (an assembly, court, etc.).
-
to create or be tantamount to.
Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.
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Archaic. to set or place.
verb
-
to make up; form; compose
the people who constitute a jury
-
to appoint to an office or function
a legally constituted officer
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to set up (a school or other institution) formally; found
-
law to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)
-
obsolete law to set up or enact (a law)
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And most of all, competing with themselves to rise above their personal standard of what constitutes an outstanding photograph.
From Los Angeles Times
The $2.5-million settlement resolves all civil claims brought by the United States and does not constitute an admission of liability.
From Los Angeles Times
Small businesses constitute the backbone of the U.S. economy.
From MarketWatch
The Nevada State Gaming Control Board contends that this trading constitutes illegal sports gambling.
From Barron's
While Andrew reached a financial settlement with Giuffre, it did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing, and the former prince has always strenuously denied any offence.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
