component Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an abstract part of something
    ingredient; constituent; factor; element.
    • jealousy was a component of his character
    • two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony
    • the grammatical elements of a sentence
    • a key factor in her success
    • humor: an effective ingredient of a speech
  2. noun something determined in relation to something that includes it
    component part; portion; part; constituent.
    • he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself
    • I read a portion of the manuscript
    • the smaller component is hard to reach
    • the animal constituent of plankton
  3. noun an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
    constituent; element.
    • spare components for cars
    • a component or constituent element of a system

WordNet


Com*po"nent adjective
Etymology
L. componens, p. pr. of componere. See Compound, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting; constituent.
    The component parts of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton.
Com*po"nent noun
Definitions
  1. A constituent part; an ingredient.

Webster 1913