constitute
verb
con·sti·tute
ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
constituted; constituting
1
2
3
: to appoint to an office, function, or dignity
Legal authority constitutes all magistrates.
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
But exactly what that due process entails — including what constitutes a full and fair hearing — has been the subject of much debate — and related litigation — in the lower courts.
—
Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
His attorney argues the conditions — constant escorts, strip searches and isolation — constitute unlawful punishment rather than necessary precautions for the detainee’s safety.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
James Comey was indicted on two felony counts Tuesday, on charges that his Instagram post of seashells arranged as the numbers 8647 constituted a threat on the president.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constitute
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Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
His attorney argues the conditions — constant escorts, strip searches and isolation — constitute unlawful punishment rather than necessary precautions for the detainee’s safety.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
James Comey was indicted on two felony counts Tuesday, on charges that his Instagram post of seashells arranged as the numbers 8647 constituted a threat on the president.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constitute
Cite this Entry
“Constitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constitute
verb
con·sti·tute
ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üt
constituted; constituting
1
: to appoint to an office or duty
constituted authorities
2
: set up sense 4, establish
a fund was constituted to help needy students
3
: make up sense 2, form
twelve months constitute a year
Legal Definition
constitute
transitive verb
con·sti·tute
ˈkän-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt
1
: to appoint to an office or function
those who are constituted heirs or named legatees—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Codelegal authority constitutes all magistrates
3
a
: to put (as an agreement) into required form
b
: to qualify as
a letter can constitute a will—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
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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