transitive verb
1
: make up, form, compose
12 months constitute a year.
… high school dropouts who constitute a major problem in large city slums.—
J. B. Conant
2
a
: enact
regulations as are constituted by the government
b
: found
constitute a provisional government
c(1)
: to give due or lawful form to
an agreement constituted by writing
3
: to appoint to an office, function, or dignity
Legal authority constitutes all magistrates.
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Women constitute 70 percent of the student population at the college.
nine players constitute a baseball team
Recent Examples on the Web
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023).
—oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023
Mayo’s team spotted at least 79 North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay on March 31, constituting about a quarter of the world’s population.
—Sonel Cutler, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2023
While Federal authorities and Nassau County prosecutors have begun investigations into whether Santos’ public misrepresentations constitute criminal activity, the congressman was sworn in as a member of Congress in January.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2023
Special counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed Pence for his testimony in the long-running investigation into whether efforts to block or undo Joe Biden’s 2020 victory constituted federal crimes, and Pence and Trump fought the demand on separate legal grounds.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
The company says the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
—David Goldman, CNN, 4 Apr. 2023
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights.
—Andy Kravis, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2023
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the information scraping spotlighted in the study, published Monday in Health Affairs, constitutes a HIPAA violation, said Brad Malin, director of the health information privacy lab at Vanderbilt University.
—Casey Ross Reprints, STAT, 3 Apr. 2023
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights.
—Condé Nast, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘constitute.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere to set up, constitute, from com- + statuere to set — more at statute
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of constitute was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near constitute
Cite this Entry
“Constitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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10 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Asked by: Clementine Beahan
Score: 4.5/5
(35 votes)
: to make up or form something. : to be the same as something : to be equivalent to something. : to establish or create (an organization, a government, etc.)
How do you use the word constitute?
Constitute in a Sentence ?
- While Greg is a key player, he does not constitute the entire football team.
- The salary I earn as a delivery driver is so small it does not constitute my full income.
What does constitute mean psychology?
[kon″stĭ-too´shun] 1. the make-up or functional habit of the body, determined by the genetic, biochemical, and physiologic endowment of the individual, and modified in great measure by environmental factors. 2.
What is the meaning of Ashgaurd?
Definitions of Asgard. (Norse mythology) the heavenly dwelling of the Norse gods (the Aesir) and slain war heroes. type of: fictitious place, imaginary place, mythical place. a place that exists only in imagination; a place said to exist in fictional or religious writings.
What is meaning of constitutes in chemistry?
form a chelate, in chemistry. add. constitute an addition. type of: be, comprise, make up, represent. form or compose.
42 related questions found
What is called Constitution?
Most commonly, the term constitution refers to a set of rules and principles that define the nature and extent of government. … Most constitutions also attempt to define the relationship between individuals and the state, and to establish the broad rights of individual citizens.
What is constituting nuisance?
countable noun [usually singular] If you say that someone or something is a nuisance, you mean that they annoy you or cause you a lot of problems.
Is Asgard and Valhalla the same?
Asgard: Home of the Gods
In the middle of the world, high up in the sky is Asgard (Old Norse: “Ásgarðr”). … Inside the gates of Asgard is Valhalla; it’s the place where half who dies in battle will go for the afterlife, the other half goes to Fólkvangr which is ruled over by the goddess Freya.
Does Odin live in Valhalla?
Odin considers Asgard, the realm of the Aesir gods and one of the nine worlds of the Norse cosmos, to be his home. As far as his residences, Odin has several, but Valhalla, often referred to as Odin’s Hall, is where he spends precious time with his einherjar to prepare for the arrival of Ragnarok.
Who was Loki?
Loki is trickster god causes lots mischief in Norse mythology. He is one of the most well-known gods of Norse mythology. He is at least half-giant; but some report him as being a full-grown giant. Loki’s father was Fárbauti and his mother was Laufey.
What does the word constitute most nearly mean?
1 : to form the whole of Twelve months constitute a year. 2 : to establish or create constitute a new government. constitute. transitive verb.
Is Constitutable a word?
Capable of being constituted.
What is constitution example?
An example of constitution is the document that John Hancock famously signed, the United States Constitution. An example of constitution is great mental strength in a person. … The definition of a constitution is a system of laws and principles, or the structure or composition of someone or something.
What is the root word of Constitute?
mid-15c., «to enter into the formation of as a necessary part,» from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere «to cause to stand, set up, fix, place, establish, set in order; form something new; resolve,» of persons, «to appoint to an office,» from assimilated form of com-, here perhaps an intensive prefix ( …
Is it constitute or constitute as?
Grammatically, they are both correct, with different meanings. It should be able to handle dependencies between A and B, which constitute an important class of problems. Here, «constitute» relates to «dependencies».
What does it mean add up to?
(add up to something) to combine to produce a particular result or effect. These new measures do not add up to genuine reform. Synonyms and related words. To involve, or to be the result of something.
Is Valhalla only for warriors?
According to Snorri, those who die in battle are taken to Valhalla, while those who die of sickness or old age find themselves in Hel, the underworld, after their departure from the land of the living. … The ranks of Valhalla would therefore predominantly be filled with elite warriors, especially heroes and rulers.
Do people still believe in Valhalla?
Modern Norse religion doctrine relating to the afterlife is somewhat nebulous and abstract in large part because even during the Viking Age, there were no Bibles or sacred texts that spelled out how Valhalla and other aspects of the afterlife were structured. …
What is the true meaning of Valhalla?
What does the word Valhalla mean? The Old Norse name for Valhalla is Valhöll, a compound noun composed of the words valr, meaning “the fallen,” and höll, meaning “hall.” Valhalla thus means “hall of the fallen.”
What is Thor’s Hammer called?
Mjollnir, Old Norse Mjöllnir, in Norse mythology, the hammer of the thunder god, Thor, and the symbol of his power. Forged by dwarfs, the hammer never failed Thor; he used it as a weapon to crash down on the heads of giants and as an instrument to hallow people and things.
Is Thor in Valhalla?
Thor gear in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla allows you to don the armour of the great god of thunder. One of many armour sets in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Thor set is perhaps the most difficult and time intensive in the game — which each piece requiring either tough battles or prerequisites to find.
Is Midgard a earth?
Midgard, also spelled Midgardr (Old Norse: Middle Abode), also called Manna-Heim (“Home of Man”), in Norse mythology, the Middle Earth, the abode of mankind, made from the body of the first created being, the giant Aurgelmir (Ymir).
What are the two types of nuisance?
There are two kinds of actionable nuisances in tort law: private nuisance and public nuisance.
What is an example of nuisance?
Both in everyday vernacular and in legal terms, a nuisance is something that causes an annoyance. … A few examples of private nuisances are: vibration, pollution of a stream or soil, smoke, foul odors, excessive light, and loud noises.
Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Clementine Beahan
Score: 4.5/5
(35 votes)
: to make up or form something. : to be the same as something : to be equivalent to something. : to establish or create (an organization, a government, etc.)
How do you use the word constitute?
Constitute in a Sentence ?
- While Greg is a key player, he does not constitute the entire football team.
- The salary I earn as a delivery driver is so small it does not constitute my full income.
What does constitute mean psychology?
[kon″stĭ-too´shun] 1. the make-up or functional habit of the body, determined by the genetic, biochemical, and physiologic endowment of the individual, and modified in great measure by environmental factors. 2.
What is the meaning of Ashgaurd?
Definitions of Asgard. (Norse mythology) the heavenly dwelling of the Norse gods (the Aesir) and slain war heroes. type of: fictitious place, imaginary place, mythical place. a place that exists only in imagination; a place said to exist in fictional or religious writings.
What is meaning of constitutes in chemistry?
form a chelate, in chemistry. add. constitute an addition. type of: be, comprise, make up, represent. form or compose.
42 related questions found
What is called Constitution?
Most commonly, the term constitution refers to a set of rules and principles that define the nature and extent of government. … Most constitutions also attempt to define the relationship between individuals and the state, and to establish the broad rights of individual citizens.
What is constituting nuisance?
countable noun [usually singular] If you say that someone or something is a nuisance, you mean that they annoy you or cause you a lot of problems.
Is Asgard and Valhalla the same?
Asgard: Home of the Gods
In the middle of the world, high up in the sky is Asgard (Old Norse: “Ásgarðr”). … Inside the gates of Asgard is Valhalla; it’s the place where half who dies in battle will go for the afterlife, the other half goes to Fólkvangr which is ruled over by the goddess Freya.
Does Odin live in Valhalla?
Odin considers Asgard, the realm of the Aesir gods and one of the nine worlds of the Norse cosmos, to be his home. As far as his residences, Odin has several, but Valhalla, often referred to as Odin’s Hall, is where he spends precious time with his einherjar to prepare for the arrival of Ragnarok.
Who was Loki?
Loki is trickster god causes lots mischief in Norse mythology. He is one of the most well-known gods of Norse mythology. He is at least half-giant; but some report him as being a full-grown giant. Loki’s father was Fárbauti and his mother was Laufey.
What does the word constitute most nearly mean?
1 : to form the whole of Twelve months constitute a year. 2 : to establish or create constitute a new government. constitute. transitive verb.
Is Constitutable a word?
Capable of being constituted.
What is constitution example?
An example of constitution is the document that John Hancock famously signed, the United States Constitution. An example of constitution is great mental strength in a person. … The definition of a constitution is a system of laws and principles, or the structure or composition of someone or something.
What is the root word of Constitute?
mid-15c., «to enter into the formation of as a necessary part,» from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere «to cause to stand, set up, fix, place, establish, set in order; form something new; resolve,» of persons, «to appoint to an office,» from assimilated form of com-, here perhaps an intensive prefix ( …
Is it constitute or constitute as?
Grammatically, they are both correct, with different meanings. It should be able to handle dependencies between A and B, which constitute an important class of problems. Here, «constitute» relates to «dependencies».
What does it mean add up to?
(add up to something) to combine to produce a particular result or effect. These new measures do not add up to genuine reform. Synonyms and related words. To involve, or to be the result of something.
Is Valhalla only for warriors?
According to Snorri, those who die in battle are taken to Valhalla, while those who die of sickness or old age find themselves in Hel, the underworld, after their departure from the land of the living. … The ranks of Valhalla would therefore predominantly be filled with elite warriors, especially heroes and rulers.
Do people still believe in Valhalla?
Modern Norse religion doctrine relating to the afterlife is somewhat nebulous and abstract in large part because even during the Viking Age, there were no Bibles or sacred texts that spelled out how Valhalla and other aspects of the afterlife were structured. …
What is the true meaning of Valhalla?
What does the word Valhalla mean? The Old Norse name for Valhalla is Valhöll, a compound noun composed of the words valr, meaning “the fallen,” and höll, meaning “hall.” Valhalla thus means “hall of the fallen.”
What is Thor’s Hammer called?
Mjollnir, Old Norse Mjöllnir, in Norse mythology, the hammer of the thunder god, Thor, and the symbol of his power. Forged by dwarfs, the hammer never failed Thor; he used it as a weapon to crash down on the heads of giants and as an instrument to hallow people and things.
Is Thor in Valhalla?
Thor gear in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla allows you to don the armour of the great god of thunder. One of many armour sets in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Thor set is perhaps the most difficult and time intensive in the game — which each piece requiring either tough battles or prerequisites to find.
Is Midgard a earth?
Midgard, also spelled Midgardr (Old Norse: Middle Abode), also called Manna-Heim (“Home of Man”), in Norse mythology, the Middle Earth, the abode of mankind, made from the body of the first created being, the giant Aurgelmir (Ymir).
What are the two types of nuisance?
There are two kinds of actionable nuisances in tort law: private nuisance and public nuisance.
What is an example of nuisance?
Both in everyday vernacular and in legal terms, a nuisance is something that causes an annoyance. … A few examples of private nuisances are: vibration, pollution of a stream or soil, smoke, foul odors, excessive light, and loud noises.
составлять, образовывать, учреждать, основывать, назначать, издавать
глагол ↓
- составлять
twelve months constitute a year — двенадцать месяцев составляют год 
these facts constitute links in one and the same chain — эти факты являются звеньями одной и той же цепи
I am not so constituted that I can accept insults — не в моём характере переносить оскорбления
- учреждать, основывать
to constitute a committee — учредить комитет
to constitute a precedent — установить прецедент
- назначать
they constituted him chief adviser — они назначили его главным советником
to constitute oneself — считать себя (кем-л.)
what right have you to constitute yourself a judge of my conduct? — по какому праву вы берётесь стать судьёй моего поведения?
- вводить в силу (закон)
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
to constitute the quorum — составлять кворум
to constitute set — образовывать множество
to constitute / represent danger — представлять опасность
to constitute a link — установить связь
to constitute / make (up) a quorum — составлять кворум
to be / constitute / pose a threat — представлять (собой) угрозу
to constitute a threat to the party leadership — представлять угрозу для партийного руководства
to constitute / form a whole — составлять единое целое
constitute a part of — составлять часть
constitute a committee — учредить комитет
Примеры с переводом
The rise in crime constitutes a threat to society.
Рост преступности представляет собой угрозу для общества.
Nine players constitute a baseball team.
Девять игроков составляют бейсбольную команду.
Volunteers constitute more than 95% of the center’s work force.
Свыше 95 процентов работников центра составляют волонтеры.
Women constitute 70 percent of the student population at the college.
Девушки составляют семьдесят процентов от численности студентов этого колледжа.
For Marx, workers constitute the vanguard of society.
Для Маркса рабочие — передовая часть общества.
These constitute my entire belonging.
Это и есть все мои принадлежности.
The Federation was constituted in 1949.
Федерация была образована в 1949 году.
We must redefine what constitutes a family.
Мы должны пересмотреть то, что представляет собой семья.
The soldier’s actions constitute a breach of military protocol.
Действия этого солдата представляют собой нарушение военного протокола.
Failing to complete the work constitutes a breach of the employment contract.
Незавершение работы является нарушением трудового договора.
The court decided that the newspaper’s reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him.
Суд постановил, что хотя репортаж этой газеты о бывшем мэре и является безответственным, но не представляет собой попытку его оклеветать.
Возможные однокоренные слова
constituted — составленный
constitution — конституция, состав, телосложение, устройство, учреждение, склад, составление
constitutive — учредительный, составной, конструктивный, существенный, образующий
constitutor — учредитель, основатель
reconstitute — восстанавливать, воспроизводить, возрождать
Формы слова
con·sti·tute
(kŏn′stĭ-to͞ot′, -tyo͞ot′)
tr.v. con·sti·tut·ed, con·sti·tut·ing, con·sti·tutes
1.
a. To be the elements or parts of; compose: Copper and tin constitute bronze.
b. To amount to; equal: «Rabies is transmitted through a bite; … patting a rabid animal in itself does not constitute exposure» (Malcolm W. Browne).
2.
a. To set up or establish according to law or provision: a body that is duly constituted under the charter.
b. To found (an institution, for example).
c. To enact (a law or regulation).
3. To appoint to an office, dignity, function, or task; designate.
[Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstituere, cōnstitūt-, to set up : com-, com- + statuere, to set up; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
con′sti·tut′er, con′sti·tu′tor n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
constitute
(ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt)
vb (tr)
1. to make up; form; compose: the people who constitute a jury.
2. to appoint to an office or function: a legally constituted officer.
3. to set up (a school or other institution) formally; found
4. (Law) law to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)
5. (Law) law obsolete to set up or enact (a law)
[C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place]
ˈconstiˌtuter, ˈconstiˌtutor n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
con•sti•tute
(ˈkɒn stɪˌtut, -ˌtyut)
v.t. -tut•ed, -tut•ing.
1. to compose; form: mortar constituted of lime and sand.
2. to appoint to an office or function: He was constituted treasurer.
3. to establish, as a law.
4. to give legal form to.
5. to create or be tantamount to: Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.
[1400–50; late Middle English < Latin constitūtus, past participle of constituere; see constituent]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
constitute
, constitution — Constitute can mean «make laws» and a constitution is a «how-to» document for a government or organization.
See also related terms for laws.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
constitute
To provide the legal authority for the existence of a new unit of the Armed Services. The new unit is designated and listed, but it has no specific existence until it is activated. See also commission.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
constitute
Past participle: constituted
Gerund: constituting
| Imperative |
|---|
| constitute |
| constitute |
| Present |
|---|
| I constitute |
| you constitute |
| he/she/it constitutes |
| we constitute |
| you constitute |
| they constitute |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I constituted |
| you constituted |
| he/she/it constituted |
| we constituted |
| you constituted |
| they constituted |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am constituting |
| you are constituting |
| he/she/it is constituting |
| we are constituting |
| you are constituting |
| they are constituting |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have constituted |
| you have constituted |
| he/she/it has constituted |
| we have constituted |
| you have constituted |
| they have constituted |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was constituting |
| you were constituting |
| he/she/it was constituting |
| we were constituting |
| you were constituting |
| they were constituting |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had constituted |
| you had constituted |
| he/she/it had constituted |
| we had constituted |
| you had constituted |
| they had constituted |
| Future |
|---|
| I will constitute |
| you will constitute |
| he/she/it will constitute |
| we will constitute |
| you will constitute |
| they will constitute |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have constituted |
| you will have constituted |
| he/she/it will have constituted |
| we will have constituted |
| you will have constituted |
| they will have constituted |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be constituting |
| you will be constituting |
| he/she/it will be constituting |
| we will be constituting |
| you will be constituting |
| they will be constituting |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been constituting |
| you have been constituting |
| he/she/it has been constituting |
| we have been constituting |
| you have been constituting |
| they have been constituting |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been constituting |
| you will have been constituting |
| he/she/it will have been constituting |
| we will have been constituting |
| you will have been constituting |
| they will have been constituting |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been constituting |
| you had been constituting |
| he/she/it had been constituting |
| we had been constituting |
| you had been constituting |
| they had been constituting |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would constitute |
| you would constitute |
| he/she/it would constitute |
| we would constitute |
| you would constitute |
| they would constitute |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have constituted |
| you would have constituted |
| he/she/it would have constituted |
| we would have constituted |
| you would have constituted |
| they would have constituted |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Verb | 1. | constitute — form or compose; «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»
make up, comprise, be, represent make — constitute the essence of; «Clothes make the man» compose — form the substance of; «Greed and ambition composed his personality» form, constitute, make — to compose or represent:»This wall forms the background of the stage setting»; «The branches made a roof»; «This makes a fine introduction» straddle, range — range or extend over; occupy a certain area; «The plants straddle the entire state» fall into, fall under — be included in or classified as; «This falls under the rubric ‘various'» pose, present — introduce; «This poses an interesting question» supplement — serve as a supplement to; «Vitamins supplemented his meager diet» |
| 2. | constitute — create and charge with a task or function; «nominate a committee»
appoint, name, nominate institute, establish, found, plant, constitute — set up or lay the groundwork for; «establish a new department» pack — set up a committee or legislative body with one’s own supporters so as to influence the outcome; «pack a jury» co-opt — appoint summarily or commandeer; «The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups» |
|
| 3. | constitute — to compose or represent:»This wall forms the background of the stage setting»; «The branches made a roof»; «This makes a fine introduction»
form, make constitute, make up, comprise, be, represent — form or compose; «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» chelate — form a chelate, in chemistry add — constitute an addition; «This paper will add to her reputation» |
|
| 4. | constitute — set up or lay the groundwork for; «establish a new department»
institute, establish, found, plant initiate, pioneer — take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; «This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants» fix — set or place definitely; «Let’s fix the date for the party!» appoint, constitute, name, nominate — create and charge with a task or function; «nominate a committee» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
constitute
verb
3. set up, found, name, create, commission, establish, appoint, delegate, nominate, enact, authorize, empower, ordain, depute On 6 July a People’s Revolutionary Government was constituted.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
constitute
verb
1. To be the constituent parts of:
2. To be equivalent or tantamount:
Idiom: have all the earmarks.
3. To put in force or cause to be by legal authority:
4. To bring into existence formally:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
يُكَوِّن، يُشَكِّل
představovattvořitustavit
udgøre
gera, mynda
keltikonstitucijakonstitucinispagal konstituciją
izveidotradītsastādīt
oluşturmak
constitute
[ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt] VT
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
constitute
[ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt] vt
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
constitute
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
constitute
(ˈkonstitjuːt) verb
to form; to make up; to be. Nuclear waste constitutes a serious danger.
ˌconstiˈtution noun
1. a set of rules governing an organization; the supreme laws and rights of a country’s people etc. the constitution of the country.
2. physical characteristics, health etc. He has a strong constitution.
ˌconstiˈtutional adjective
legal according to a given constitution. The proposed change would not be constitutional.
ˌconstiˈtutionally adverb
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
constitute
v. constituir, componer, formar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstitūtum, neuter of cōnstitūtus, past participle of Latin cōnstituō (“to put in place, set up, establish”).
Pronunciation[edit]
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/
Verb[edit]
constitute (third-person singular simple present constitutes, present participle constituting, simple past and past participle constituted)
- (transitive) To set up; to establish; to enact.
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1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:
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Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority.
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- (transitive) To make up; to compose; to form.
- 1779–81, Samuel Johnson, «Abraham Cowley» in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poet
- Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold that defies destruction.
- 1779–81, Samuel Johnson, «Abraham Cowley» in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poet
- (transitive) To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower.
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion
- Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine.
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion
Synonyms[edit]
- (set up): establish, enact
- (make up): make up, compose, form; see also Thesaurus:compose
- (appoint):
[edit]
- constituent
- constituency
- constitution
- constitutional
- constitutionalization
- constitutive
Translations[edit]
to cause to stand; to establish; to enact
- Bulgarian: основавам (bg) (osnovavam), учредявам (bg) (učredjavam)
- Czech: ustavit
- Finnish: perustaa (fi)
- German: gründen (de), begründen (de), bilden (de), einrichten (de), ins Leben rufen, einsetzen (de), festsetzen (de), konstituieren (de)
- Hindi: गठन करना (gaṭhan karnā)
- Italian: costituire (it), creare (it), formare (it)
- Japanese: 制定する (ja) (せいていする, seitei-suru)
- Korean: 설립(設立)하다 (ko) (seolliphada), 제정(制定)하다 (ko) (jejeonghada)
- Maori: whakaū
- Occitan: constituir (oc)
- Portuguese: constituir (pt)
- Russian: устана́вливать (ru) impf (ustanávlivatʹ), учрежда́ть (ru) impf (učreždátʹ), установи́ть (ru) pf (ustanovítʹ), учреди́ть (ru) pf (učredítʹ)
- Spanish: constituir (es)
- Turkish: meydana getirmek (tr), oluşturmak (tr)
to make up; to compose; to form
- Bulgarian: съставям (bg) (sǎstavjam), образувам (bg) (obrazuvam)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 組成／组成 (zh) (zǔchéng), 构成 (zh) (gòuchéng)
- Czech: tvořit (cs)
- Finnish: muodostaa (fi)
- French: constituer (fr)
- German: ausmachen (de), bilden (de), darstellen (de), repräsentieren (de)
- Hebrew: היווה (hivá)
- Hindi: गठन करना (gaṭhan karnā)
- Italian: creare (it), formare (it), costituire (it), rappresentare (it)
- Japanese: 構成する (ja) (こうせいする, kōsei-suru)
- Korean: 구성(構成)하다 (ko) (guseonghada), 이루다 (ko) (iruda)
- Occitan: constituir (oc)
- Polish: stanowić (pl) impf
- Portuguese: constituir (pt)
- Russian: составля́ть (ru) (sostavljátʹ), формирова́ть (ru) impf (formirovátʹ), явля́ть собо́й impf (javljátʹ sobój)
- Scots: constitute
- Swedish: utgöra (sv)
- Turkish: oluşmak (tr), teşkil etmek (tr)
- Vietnamese: cấu thành (vi)
to appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower
Noun[edit]
constitute (plural constitutes)
- (obsolete) An established law.
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1569, Thomas Preston, Cambyses:
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A naughty man that will not obey the kings constitute.
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References[edit]
- constitute in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Further reading[edit]
- constitute in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- “constitute”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Latin[edit]
Noun[edit]
cōnstitūte
- vocative singular of cōnstitūtus
References[edit]
- constitute in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)
Scots[edit]
Verb[edit]
constitute (third-person singular simple present constitutes, present participle constitutein, simple past constitutet, past participle constitutet)
- To constitute.
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- Examples
- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ kon-sti-toot, -tyoot ]
/ ˈkɒn stɪˌtut, -ˌtyut /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
verb (used with object), con·sti·tut·ed, con·sti·tut·ing.
to compose; form: mortar constituted of lime and sand.
to appoint to an office or function; make or create: He was constituted treasurer.
to establish (laws, an institution, etc.).
to give legal form to (an assembly, court, etc.).
to create or be tantamount to: Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.
Archaic. to set or place.
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Origin of constitute
1400–50; late Middle English <Latin constitūtus (past participle of constituere;see constituent), equivalent to con-con- + -stitūtus, combining form of statūtum, past participle of statuere to set up. See statute
OTHER WORDS FROM constitute
con·sti·tut·er, con·sti·tu·tor, nounnon·con·sti·tut·ed, adjectivepre·con·sti·tute, verb (used with object), pre·con·sti·tut·ed, pre·con·sti·tut·ing.self-con·sti·tut·ed, adjective
self-con·sti·tut·ing, adjectiveun·con·sti·tut·ed, adjectivewell-con·sti·tut·ed, adjective
Words nearby constitute
constipation, constituency, constituent, Constituent Assembly, constituent structure, constitute, constitution, constitutional, Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Democratic Party, constitutionalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to constitute
create, establish, empower, aggregate, complement, complete, compose, compound, construct, develop, embody, enact, fix, found, frame, incorporate, integrate, make, appoint, commission
How to use constitute in a sentence
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Once-tight siblings I know now feel distant and guarded, their worldviews suddenly so opposed that they can’t even agree on what constitutes a fact.
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Besides, it’s not really on you to determine what constitutes damage in this case.
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Rodriguez-Kennedy and Schumacher said they thought soliciting those desired appointments could constitute a Brown Act violation.
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There may be Republicans who’d like to vote to convict if the vote were conducted in private, but it is almost certainly not a group that constitutes 31 of the 50 Republicans in the Senate.
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A group of parents sued the West Ada teachers union, claiming that the walk-out constituted an illegal strike and that it caused undue emotional and financial stress on families.
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No longer does it constitute a reliable, middle class-based alternative to the corporatist mindset of the Republicans.
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Kim Jung-un clearly recognizes that Hollywood and American popular culture in general constitute a dire threat.
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The reviews in themselves constitute a demonstration of why the regime restricts the Internet.
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Under that definition, forced kissing can certainly constitute as a form of sexual assault.
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This will constitute a major victory for the forces of light, one very much worth marking and thinking back over.
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We can thus disregard the first 16 and consider only the last two figures which constitute the fraction of a century.
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Cherry-tree stems, under the name of agriots, constitute a specialty of Austrian manufacture.
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In myelogenous leukemia myelocytes usually constitute more than 20 per cent.
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The blessings of time and eternity constitute the part of the promise offered to believers, through Christ.
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In the preceding chapter we have endeavoured to solve the question what are the qualities that constitute good tone.
British Dictionary definitions for constitute
verb (tr)
to make up; form; composethe people who constitute a jury
to appoint to an office or functiona legally constituted officer
to set up (a school or other institution) formally; found
law to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)
law obsolete to set up or enact (a law)
Derived forms of constitute
constituter or constitutor, noun
Word Origin for constitute
C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other forms: constituted; constitutes; constituting
To constitute is to make up a whole from smaller parts, or «constituents.» «What constitutes a family?» means «What makes up a family?»
Parents, kids, pets, and other family members constitute most people’s idea of a family. The Constitution tells us what our country is all about and supposed to be made of — in other words, what constitutes the United States. This word can deal with the present or the future. The items listed in a recipe constitute what will be in a cake; later, the individual ingredients constitute the cake. Eleven players constitute a football team on the field. We can even say that abstract qualities are constituted. For example, some people think wearing sunglasses constitutes coolness. Since everything in the world is made up of other things, there’s a lot of constituting going on.
Definitions of constitute
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verb
compose or represent
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verb
create and charge with a task or function
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verb
set up or lay the groundwork for
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Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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