consist

American  

[kuhn-sist, kon-sist] / kənˈsɪst, ˈkɒn sɪst /

verb (used without object)

consists, present (3rd person singular) consisted, past participle, past consisting present participle

1. to be made up or composed (usually followed byof ).

   This cake consists mainly of sugar, flour, and butter.

2. to be comprised or contained (usually followed byin ).

   Her charm does not consist only in her beauty.

3. Archaic. to exist together or be capable of existing together.

4. Obsolete. to insist; urge.

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noun

1. Railroads.

   1. the rolling stock, exclusive of the locomotive, making up a train.

   2. a record made of this rolling stock.

consist British  

/ kənˈsɪst /

verb

1. (foll by of) to be composed (of); be formed (of)

   syrup consists of sugar and water

2. to have its existence (in); lie (in); be expressed (by)

   his religion consists only in going to church

3. to be compatible or consistent; accord

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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have consisted
  perfect
• has consisted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been consisting
  perfect progressive
• am consisting
  progressive 1st person singular
• is consisting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been consisting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are consisting
  progressive
• consisting
  participle
• consists
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had consisted
  perfect
• had been consisting
  perfect progressive
• consisted
  participle
• were consisting
  progressive plural
• was consisting
  progressive singular
• consisted
  simple

Future

• will consist
  simple
• will have consisted
  perfect
• will have been consisting
  perfect progressive
• will be consisting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of consist

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin consistere “to stand together, stand firm,” from con- con- + sistere “to stand, cause to stand”; see also stand, stasis, status

Explanation

Almost always used with the preposition "of," the verb consist means to be made up of, or composed of something. A heated conversation might consist of only two words: "yes" and "no." If you're talking about something that is made up of other things, consist is your word. A molecule consists of atoms and their bonds. Consist is often used in the past tense, so you're likely to hear it used in a sentence like "the game consisted of fourteen players and one stick." But you can use it in the present tense too. Grammar consists of many, many different rules, all of which are applied differently, depending on whether you're speaking or writing. The clubs all consist of singers, and singers only. If you play an instrument, look elsewhere, bud.

Example Sentences

Unlike Earth's clouds, they would likely consist of minerals such as silicates rather than water droplets.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

I have no other retirement accounts, so my retirement income will consist of this pension and Social Security.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

The 60 evacuated properties consist of 41 owners, 19 housing association tenants and four council tenants.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

There is a traditional steering wheel, knobs and levers, while the screens consist of so-called organic light-emitting diodes, which don’t require backlighting, to create a more analog feel.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

“Hey,” I said, once Sohrab was finished saying hi to Mamou and Babou in a long stream of Farsi that seemed to consist mostly of taarofing.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist