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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• consisting
  present
• consisted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• consist
  simple
• consists
  simple
• have consisted
  perfect
• has consisted
  perfect
• am consisting
  progressive
• are consisting
  progressive
• is consisting
  progressive
• have been consisting
  perfect progressive
• has been consisting
  perfect progressive

Past

• consisted
  simple
• had consisted
  perfect
• was consisting
  progressive
• were consisting
  progressive
• had been consisting
  perfect progressive

Future

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

The justices continue to insist that there is no tension among them and that they agree cordially on all things.

From Slate • Jul. 2, 2026

That 1985 prediction seems wildly optimistic, yet Mr. Meese is right to insist there is no necessary connection between political ideology and legal method.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Researchers are urging government to put in new regulations to insist processed food manufacturers test for microplastic contamination - similar to the legislation that already exists to prevent chemical contamination.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

Wall Street is mistaken to insist that the bull market can’t be in danger because corporate earnings are growing fast.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

For to preserve the old orthodoxy it would have been necessary to insist that the world’s land masses were confined to one hemisphere.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• dwell
• subsist