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Definition of constitute verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

constitute

verb
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːt/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they constitute
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːt/
he / she / it constitutes
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːts/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːts/
past simple constituted
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːtɪd/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːtɪd/
past participle constituted
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːtɪd/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːtɪd/
-ing form constituting
 
/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːtɪŋ/
 
/ˈkɑːnstɪtuːtɪŋ/
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  1. linking verb + noun (not used in the progressive tenses) to be considered to be something
    • Does such an activity constitute a criminal offence?
    • Climate change constitutes a major threat to life.
    • to constitute a danger/crime/breach/nuisance
    • His action was interpreted as constituting a threat to the community.
    Extra Examples
    • The census constitutes the principal source of official statistics.
    • The committee ruled that the US ban constituted an infringement of free trade.
    • The conference in itself constitutes a solid achievement.
    • This action constitutes a violation of international law.
  2. linking verb + noun (not used in the progressive tenses) to be the parts that together form something synonym make up
    • Female workers constitute the majority of the labour force.
    • People under the age of 40 constitute the majority of the labour force.
  3. [transitive, usually passive] to form a group legally or officially synonym establish, set something up
    • be constituted (by somebody/something) The committee was constituted in 1974 by an Act of Parliament.
  4. Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin constitut- ‘established, appointed’, from the verb constituere, from con- ‘together’ + statuere ‘set up’.
See constitute in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee constitute in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
given
adjective
 
 
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