verb

constitute

KONS-tiht-yoot

verb

To make up or form something when combined with other parts.

"Three strikes constitute an out in baseball."

"These emails alone don't constitute proof of wrongdoing."

To formally establish or set up (a law, body, or authority).

"The assembly voted to constitute a new committee."

How to Use Constitute

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make up or count as something, or to formally set something up.

Easily confused with

constituent →

Common pairings

constitute a threat constitute grounds for constitute a majority

constituted past tense, constitutes plural, constitutes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Three strikes _____ an out in baseball.

From Latin constituere, "to set up, establish," from con- ("together") + statuere ("to set up").

compose form

create build upset shape settle form include compose

ute cute mute lute flute acute haute brute chute route minute refute

compose form create build upset shape settle include