component
1 of 2noun
com·po·nent kəm-ˈpō-nənt 
ˈkäm-ˌpō-,
käm-ˈpō-
1
: a constituent part : ingredient
an important component of the program
stereo components
2
a
: any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant
b
: a coordinate of a vector
also : either member of an ordered pair of numbers
componential
ˌkäm-pə-ˈnen(t)-shəl
adjective component
2 of 2adjective
1
: serving or helping to constitute : constituent
component parts
2
of a video signal : split into multiple channels each carrying one particular set of data (such as one channel for black and white and one for color)
component input
compare composite entry 1 sense 4 
Synonyms
Noun
- building block
- constituent
- element
- factor
- ingredient
- member
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the components of an electric circuit He sells spare computer components. The interview is a key component in the hiring process. Hard work has been a major component of his success. Adjective the component parts of a machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Dean Seal, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The Pebble developer highlights copper as a key component in green technology, from electric vehicles to the wires connecting renewable energy projects. Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 For Steichen, that’s been a key component in Hurts’ showing over the past month as Philadelphia prepared for the 2022 NFL campaign. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2022 Communication is a key component, Seminatore emphasized. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 The city’s own violence interrupters are a key component of the Bowser administration’s $50 million investment in alternative justice programs. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 His video was a key component of the subsequent trial of the officers. Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 California’s wine grape harvest season is underway, but oak barrels, a key component in winemaking, are in short supply. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Neo Performance Materials of Canada announced a deal to begin mining in Greenland for the metals, which are a key component for electric cars. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 9 Nov. 2020 By the '70s, motorists could buy component parts to convert older models into unique classics. Dalvin Brown, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2019 Once Cerar stepped down as prime minister earlier this year and the squabbling of coalition partners disappeared from the headlines, his image as a decent and component prime minister returned. Tim Haughton, Washington Post, 5 June 2018 See More
Noun
The price of lithium has exploded in the past year amid a surge in demand for electric-vehicle batteries, of which the metal is a key component. Dean Seal, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The Pebble developer highlights copper as a key component in green technology, from electric vehicles to the wires connecting renewable energy projects. Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 For Steichen, that’s been a key component in Hurts’ showing over the past month as Philadelphia prepared for the 2022 NFL campaign. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2022 Communication is a key component, Seminatore emphasized. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 The city’s own violence interrupters are a key component of the Bowser administration’s $50 million investment in alternative justice programs. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 His video was a key component of the subsequent trial of the officers. Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 California’s wine grape harvest season is underway, but oak barrels, a key component in winemaking, are in short supply. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Neo Performance Materials of Canada announced a deal to begin mining in Greenland for the metals, which are a key component for electric cars. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 Adjective
The layout by Oakland design studio Open Daily is clean; even more complicated recipes, like Henry Hsu’s multi-component cornerstone rice cakes, are easy to follow. Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 9 Nov. 2020 By the '70s, motorists could buy component parts to convert older models into unique classics. Dalvin Brown, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2019 Once Cerar stepped down as prime minister earlier this year and the squabbling of coalition partners disappeared from the headlines, his image as a decent and component prime minister returned. Tim Haughton, Washington Post, 5 June 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Adjective
Latin component-, componens, present participle of componere to put together — more at compound
First Known Use
Noun
1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing component
Kids Definition
component
noun
com·po·nent kəm-ˈpō-nənt
: one of the parts or units of a combination, mixture, or system
Medical Definition
component
noun
com·po·nent kəm-ˈpō-nənt, ˈkäm-ˌ, käm-ˈ
: a constituent part
the exocrine and endocrine components of the pancreas
components
noun
as in elements
one of the parts that make up a whole each set is composed of several distinct components Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- elements
- factors
- ingredients
- members
- constituents
- characteristics
- bases
- items
- building blocks
- aspects
- features
- pieces
- traits
- segments
- facets
- sections
- sub-components
- subcomponents
- portions
- details
- fragments
- sectors
- particulars
- particles
- partitions
- part and parcels
- divisions
- points
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compounds
- composites
- masses
- wholes
- aggregates
- mixtures
- combinations
- totals
- sums
- blends
- mixes
- summations
- admixtures
- entireties
- totalities
- amalgams
- intermixtures
- amalgamations