constituency

noun

con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈstich-wən(t)-sē How to pronounce constituency (audio)
-ˈsti-chə-,
-ˈsti-chü-ən(t)-
plural constituencies
1
a
: a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive position)
the governor's liberal constituency
b
: the residents in an electoral district
The senator's constituency includes a large minority population.
c
: an electoral district
2
a
: a group or body that patronizes, supports, or offers representation
creating … a grass-roots constituency for continuing the projectFred Reed
b
: the people involved in or served by an organization (such as a business or institution)
… regards its corporate customers as its prime constituency.Andrew Hacker

Examples of constituency in a Sentence

The senator's constituency includes a large minority population. He was elected to represent a Liverpool constituency.
Recent Examples on the Web In this way, new constituencies for trade deals can be created across the United States, shoring up domestic political support. Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2024 Ruffini argues convincingly that the classic picture of the two political parties’ constituencies — the Republicans as the party of the rich and ancestral Protestants, the Democrats as the party of the great masses and ethnic and racial minorities — is out of date. Michael Barone, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2024 Returning officers, who are bound by law to compile and deliver the numbers from their constituencies to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by 2 a.m. on the day following the election, failed to do so – sparking fears that the results were being altered. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Feb. 2024 And of its college graduates, more than half are younger than 45 — a population that has become an essential Democratic constituency. Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024 For nearly a quarter century, there had also been no serious Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and no major constituency in Israeli politics supported resuming them. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 His efforts to win over union households — a key constituency in the state — have received mixed reception so far. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 Surveys have found public support for regulation, and many of the constituencies the bill claims to benefit, including smaller businesses and independent taxi drivers, have typically voted for the Democratic Party of Korea. Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Still, Musk’s entreaties come at a time when Delaware has issued several rulings that have sent a chill into one of its core constituencies: boards of directors. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constituency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see constitute

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of constituency was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near constituency

Cite this Entry

“Constituency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituency. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

constituency

noun
con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈstich-(ə-)wən-sē How to pronounce constituency (audio)
plural constituencies
1
: a body of citizens having the right to elect a representative to a legislature
2
: the people living in an electoral district
3
: an electoral district

Legal Definition

constituency

noun
con·​stit·​u·​en·​cy kən-ˈsti-chə-wən-sē How to pronounce constituency (audio)
plural constituencies
1
: a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive office)
2
: the residents in an electoral district
3
: an electoral district

More from Merriam-Webster on constituency

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