constitute

[kon-sti-toot, -tyoot]

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.

constitute

/ 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)

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place

Example Sentences

“If it involves the use of warships and the exercise of force, I believe this is a case that could unquestionably constitute a crisis threatening the nation’s existence,” Takaichi said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the preceding weeks before Nvidia’s earnings report, Luria said there was “a lot of good discussion about what constitutes a bubble” and what market behaviors are healthy or unhealthy.

Read more on MarketWatch

The union argued in the lawsuit that it constitutes “a transfer of wealth from the workers to their employers.”

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The defendants present at the hearing, including a student, a father and carer, admitted to sending messages but denied they were threatening or constituted harassment.

Read more on Barron's

Under international law, none of these three steps would constitute escalated belligerence.

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Related Words

• create 
• establish