constituent

UK: /kənˈstɪtʃuənt/

US: /kənˈstɪtʃuənt/

US: (kən stich′o̅o̅ ənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•stit•u•ent /kənˈstɪtʃuənt/   adj. [before a noun]

1. serving to make up or form the basis of a thing:
   the constituent parts of a motor.

n. [countable]

2. an element, material, etc., that makes up a whole;
   component:
   the constituents of an atom.
3. Government a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, such as a voter in a district represented by an elected official:
   The constituents of the district voted the councilwoman out of office.

con•stit•u•ent•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

See element.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•stit•u•ent  (kən stich′o̅o̅ ənt), adj. 

1. serving to compose or make up a thing;
   component:
   the constituent parts of a motor.
2. Government having power to frame or alter a political constitution or fundamental law, as distinguished from lawmaking power:
   a constituent assembly.

n. 

3. a constituent element, material, etc.;
   component.
4. Government a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, as a voter in a district represented by an elected official.
5. Grammar an element considered as part of a construction. Cf. immediate constituent, ultimate constituent.

• Latin constituent- (stem of constituēns, present participle of constituere to set up, found, constitute), equivalent. to con- con- + -stitu- (combining form of statuere to set up) + -ent- -ent
• 1615–25

con•stit′u•ent•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 3. See element. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

constituent / kənˈstɪtjʊənt/ adjective (prenominal)

1. forming part of a whole; component
2. having the power to frame a constitution or to constitute a government (esp in the phrases constituent assembly, constituent power)

noun

1. a component part; ingredient
2. a resident of a constituency, esp one entitled to vote
3. a person who appoints another to act for him or her, as by power of attorney

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin constituēns setting up, from constituere to establish, constitute

conˈstituently adverb