constituent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
    component; element.
    • spare components for cars
    • a component or constituent element of a system
  2. noun a member of a constituency; a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes
    • needs continued support by constituents to be re-elected
  3. noun something determined in relation to something that includes it
    component part; portion; part; component.
    • 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
  4. noun (grammar) a word or phrase or clause forming part of a larger grammatical construction
    grammatical constituent.
  5. noun an abstract part of something
    ingredient; factor; component; 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
  6. adjective satellite constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup)
    organic; constitutional; constitutive.

WordNet

Con*stit"u*ent adjective
Etymology
L. constituens, -entis, p.pr. See Constitute.
Definitions
  1. Serving to form, compose, or make up; elemental; component.
    Body, soul, and reason are the three parts necessarily constituent of a man. Dryden.
  2. Having the power of electing or appointing.
    A question of right arises between the constituent and representative body. Junius.
Con*stit"u*ent noun
Definitions
  1. The person or thing which constitutes, determines, or constructs.
    Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance. Sir M. Hale
  2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part; a component; an element.
    We know how to bring these constituents together, and to cause them to form water. Tyndall.
  3. One for whom another acts; especially, one who is represented by another in a legislative assembly; -- correlative to representative.
    The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are termed his constituents. Abbot.
    To appeal from the representatives to the constituents. Macaulay.
  4. (Law) A person who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact. Burrill.

Webster 1913