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

constitute

verb

ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt constitute pronunciation American

ˈkɑːnstətuːt

(formal)

1 linking verb + noun (not used in the progressive tenses) to be considered to be somethingDoes such an activity constitute a criminal offence?The increase in racial tension constitutes a threat to our society.His action was interpreted as constituting a threat to the community.2 linking verb + noun (not used in the progressive tenses) to be the parts that together form something

Synonym

make upFemale workers constitute the majority of the labour force.3 [transitive, usually passive] constitute something to form a group legally or officially

Synonym

establish, set upThe committee was constituted in 1974 by an Act of Parliament.

Usage note: consist of somebody/somethingcomprise make up something constitute be composed of somebody/somethingThese words all mean to be formed from the things or people mentioned, or to be the parts that form something.consist of somebody/something to be formed from the things, people or activities mentioned: Their diet consists largely of vegetables.comprise (rather formal) to be formed from the things or people mentioned: The collection comprises 327 paintings. Comprise can also be used to refer to the parts or members of something: Older people comprise a large proportion of those living in poverty. However, this is less frequent.make up something (rather informal) to be the parts or people that form something: Women make up 56% of the student numbers.constitute to be the parts or people that form something: People under the age of 40 constitute the majority of the labour force.be composed of somebody/something (rather formal) to be formed from the things or people mentioned: Around 15% of our diet is composed of protein.which word?Consist of somebody/something is the most general of these words and the only one that can be used for activities with the -ing form of a verb: My work at that time just consisted of typing letters. The other main difference is between those verbs that take the whole as the subject and the parts as the object: The group consists of/comprises/is made up of/is composed of ten people. and those that take the parts as the subject and the whole as the object: Ten people make up/constitute/comprise the group. It is not correct to use ‘comprises of’ or ‘is composed by/from’.