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constitute

con·sti·tute | \ ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌtüt

How to pronounce constitute (audio)

, -ˌtyüt \

constituted; constituting

Definition of constitute

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 : set up, establish: such as

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

(2) : to legally process

3 : to appoint to an office, function, or dignity Legal authority constitutes all magistrates.

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about constitute

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Examples of constitute in a Sentence

Women constitute 70 percent of the student population at the college. nine players constitute a baseball team

Recent Examples on the Web The question of what would constitute appropriate accountability for Trump—and serve to discourage other politicians from engaging in similar, or worse, transgressions—has already sparked debate. — Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, "Why Trump Can’t Afford to Lose," 1 Nov. 2020 The question Wednesday seemed to stump SEC commissioner Greg Sankey for a moment: What would constitute a successful season for his league in 2020? — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "Opinion: SEC too tight-lipped about COVID-19 data, real cost of successful football season," 23 Sep. 2020 The big question, though, is what might constitute a rebuild during COVID-19. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "After flurry of departures, Michigan football will be unrecognizable when it finally takes field," 17 Sep. 2020 Restrictions will be eased once Israel records a sharp decline in infection rates, though no number has been put on what might constitute such a decline. — Oren Liebermann And Amir Tal, CNN, "Israel is going into a second nationwide lockdown over Covid-19," 14 Sep. 2020 The bill Sherman proposes will address the topics of privacy, what constitute a private space, and when and under what circumstances a body camera can or should be turned off, West said. — Dallas News, "State representative unveils ’Bo’s Law’ as community celebrates #BeLikeBo day on 2nd anniversary of Botham Jean’s murder," 7 Sep. 2020 The Vikings left the field without taking questions from reporters, and offered no specifics about what would constitute a fair prosecutorial process for Chauvin. — Ben Goessling, Star Tribune, "Vikings keep spotlight on social justice during practice at U.S. Bank Stadium," 28 Aug. 2020 What does constitute such evidence, however, is a host of domestic practices. — Dalibor Rohac, National Review, "Not Just a Lovable Rogue," 26 Aug. 2020 What may constitute an early elevation in one person could be a normal temperature for another. — James Hamblin, The Atlantic, "Paging Dr. Hamblin: Everyone Wants to Check My Temperature," 12 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constitute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about constitute

Dictionary Entries near constitute

constituent structure

constituta pecunia

constitutional formula

Statistics for constitute

Last Updated

10 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Constitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute. Accessed 15 Nov. 2020.

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More Definitions for constitute

constitute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of constitute

formal

: 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.)

See the full definition for constitute in the English Language Learners Dictionary

constitute

con·sti·tute | \ ˈkän-stə-ˌtüt

, -ˌtyüt \

constituted; constituting

Kids Definition of constitute

1 : to form the whole of Twelve months constitute a year.

2 : to establish or create constitute a new government

constitute

transitive verb

con·sti·tute | \ ˈkän-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt

\

Legal Definition of constitute

1 : to appoint to an office or function those who are constituted heirs or named legatees — Louisiana Civil Code legal authority constitutes all magistrates

2 : establish, found to constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court — U.S. Constitution art. I

3a : to put (as an agreement) into required form

b : to qualify as a letter can constitute a will— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al. failure to act may constitute negligence

c : to form the substance or whole of the bonds constituted the entire estate

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