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.
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
SYNONYMS FOR constitute
3 institute, commission.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR constitute ON THESAURUS.COM
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
No longer does it constitute a reliable, middle class-based alternative to the corporatist mindset of the Republicans.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This will constitute a major victory for the forces of light, one very much worth marking and thinking back over.
Who Are the Judicial Activists Now?|Michael Tomasky|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Illegal immigrants also constitute at least 14 percent of the construction industry.
Careful What You Wish For: Here’s What California Would Look Like Without Illegal Immigrants|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Eye movements tracked in this test are involuntary, so they constitute a sound physiological marker of ADHD.
How to Tell When a Scientific Study Is Total B.S.|Russell Saunders|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While 10 women do not constitute a comprehensive survey, the responses are striking nonetheless.
The Pill Is More Than Birth Control|Keli Goff|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The noses and mouths of the different faces are joined together and constitute a fairly regular pattern.
Evolution in Art|Alfred C. Haddon
But as it has been interpreted above, it certainly did not constitute an addition to Paul's gospel.
The Origin of Paul's Religion|J. Gresham Machen
That they had no right whatever to constitute themselves a court-martial, and bring him to trial, they knew perfectly well.
Cudjo's Cave|J. T. Trowbridge
It has never been held necessary, to constitute a citizen within the act, that he should have the qualifications of an elector.
Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford|Benjamin C. Howard
All this did not constitute a rich dowry for the future capital.
Constantinople painted by Warwick Goble|Alexander Van Millingen
British Dictionary definitions for constitute
constitute
/ (ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt) /
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
lawto give legal form to (a court, assembly, etc)
lawobsoleteto set up or enact (a law)
Derived forms of constitute
constituterorconstitutor, noun
Word Origin for constitute
C15: from Latin constituere, from com- (intensive) + statuere to place