adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/kənˈstɪt͡ʃuˌtɪv/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K AA2 N S T IH1 T UW0 T IH2 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having the power or authority to constitute, establish or enact something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Having the power or authority to appoint someone to office.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Extremely important; essential.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Forming a constituent part of something else.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Of an enzyme: continuously produced at a constant rate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English constitute Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English constitutive From constitute + -ive.
Across languages
Translations
14 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
учредителен
(učreditelen)
— having the power or authority to constitute
Bulgarian:
съществен
(sǎštestven)
— very important ; essential
Catalan:
constitutiu
— very important ; essential
French:
constitutif
— very important ; essential
Italian:
costitutivo
— very important ; essential
Portuguese:
constitutivo
— very important ; essential
Spanish:
constitutivo
— very important ; essential
Bulgarian:
съставен
(sǎstaven)
— that forms a constituent part of something else
Bulgarian:
образуващ
(obrazuvašt)
— that forms a constituent part of something else
Catalan:
constitutiu
— that forms a constituent part of something else
French:
constitutif
— that forms a constituent part of something else
Manx:
co-yantyssagh
— that forms a constituent part of something else
Portuguese:
constitutivo
— that forms a constituent part of something else
Spanish:
constitutivo
— that forms a constituent part of something else