constitute Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb form or compose
represent; be; comprise; make up.
- This money is my only income
- The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance
- These constitute my entire belonging
- The children made up the chorus
- This sum represents my entire income for a year
- These few men comprise his entire army
verb create and charge with a task or function
appoint; nominate; name.
- nominate a committee
verb to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"
make; form.
- The branches made a roof
- This makes a fine introduction
verb set up or lay the groundwork for
found; plant; establish; institute.
- establish a new department

L. constitutus, p.p. of constiture to constitute; con- + statuere to place, set, fr. status station, fr. stare to stand. See Stand.

imperfect & past participle Constituted; present participle & verbal noun Constituting

To cause to stand; to establish; to enact.
Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority. Jer. Taylor.
To make up; to compose; to form.
Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold that defies destruction. Johnson.
To appoint, depute, or elect to an offie; to make and empower.
Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine. Wordsworth.
Bartlett.