constitute

[kon-sti-toot, -tyoot]

verb (used with object)

constituted, constituting 

1. to compose; form.

   mortar constituted of lime and sand.

2. to appoint to an office or function; make or create.

   He was constituted treasurer.

3. to establish (laws, an institution, etc.).

   Synonyms: commission, institute

4. to give legal form to (an assembly, court, etc.).

5. to create or be tantamount to.

   Imports constitute a challenge to local goods.

6. Archaic.,  to set or place.

constitute

/ ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

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 to give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)

5. obsolete,  law to set up or enact (a law)

Other Word Forms

• constituter noun
• constitutor noun
• nonconstituted adjective
• preconstitute verb (used with object)
• self-constituted adjective
• self-constituting adjective
• unconstituted adjective
• well-constituted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin constitūtus, past participle of constituere “to set up, found”; constituent

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitute¹

C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place

Example Sentences

The problem, of course, is what constitutes a “reasonable conservative Democrat.”

From Salon

The PA, which governs areas of the West Bank not under full Israeli control, said Smotrich's plan constituted a "direct threat" to hopes for a Palestinian state.

From BBC

Hamas denounced what it called the "operations of systematic destruction" by Israeli forces in Gaza City, saying they constituted "an unprecedented violation" of international law.

From BBC

Meanwhile, two defeats - and eight goals conceded - constitutes their worst start to a league season since 1954.

From BBC

But lawmakers drew a map where 23 of the 38 congressional districts had white majorities, even though in the 2020 census, white and Hispanic Texans constituted roughly equal shares of the total population.

From Salon

Related Words

• create 
• establish