component 1 of 2

noun

kəm-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce component (audio)
Definition of componentnext
as in element
one of the parts that make up a whole each set is composed of several distinct components

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

component

2 of 2

adjective

as in constituent

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word component distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of component are constituent, element, and ingredient. While all these words mean "one of the parts of a compound or complex whole," component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character.

the components of a stereo system

In what contexts can constituent take the place of component?

While in some cases nearly identical to component, constituent stresses its essential and formative character.

the constituents of a chemical compound

When is element a more appropriate choice than component?

While the synonyms element and component are close in meaning, element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity.

the basic elements of geometry

When is it sensible to use ingredient instead of component?

Although the words ingredient and component have much in common, ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture.

the ingredients of a cocktail

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of component
Noun
Are the linear components similar? —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026 This component helps to speed up the clotting process. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The layout by Oakland design studio Open Daily is clean; even more complicated recipes, like Henry Hsu’s multi-component cornerstone rice cakes, are easy to follow. —Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 9 Nov. 2020 By the '70s, motorists could buy component parts to convert older models into unique classics. —Dalvin Brown, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for component
Recent Examples of Synonyms for component
  1. element
  2. constituent
  3. factor
  4. individual
  5. ingredient
  6. particular
  7. member
Noun
  • The team analyzed 44 elements and found no single universal reaction to space; instead, microbial metabolism changed in distinct, element-specific ways.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Sugar does have benefits for feeding cut flowers, which is why it's added to the mixtures used by florists, but in flower food formulas, the sucrose is blended with antimicrobial elements to keep the water free from bacteria.
    — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of element
Adjective
  • All too often, aldermanic staffers are focused exclusively on constituent services, with scant expertise or resources made available to research and formulate policy proposals.
    — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Rather than routing entire documents to a single model, documents will be decomposed into constituent parts such as titles, paragraphs, tables and images and be routed to the model or agent best suited to understand it.
    — Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Definition of constituent
Noun
  • Joe Brusuelas, senior economist at RSM US, highlighted a few of those factors when pushing back on White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett’s claim Monday that subdued job gains are primarily the result of lower population figures and higher productivity.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Mindfulness is one factor of the Eightfold Path, and those other factors are extremely important.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of factor
Adjective
  • The company couldn’t say when individual stores may close, a spokesperson told CNN over email.
    — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Karo won the gold medal in the event, becoming the oldest athlete to ever win an individual event at the Winter Olympics.
    — Outside, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of individual
Noun
  • And isn’t that about to become the defining ingredient of all future Hall of Fame voting, sooner than later?
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of ingredient
Adjective
  • So one person who has also been pretty locked into one particular media path, pretty much his whole life is our guest this week on the show.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • This is a particular problem for Task-Ambience air conditioning (TAAC) systems.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of particular
Noun
  • On Tuesday, three members of the council, Leslie Voltaire, Edgard Leblanc Fils and Louis Gérald Gilles, announced the creation of a new three-member presidential college to lead the next phase of the transition.
    — JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Alexseyev has had significant involvement in the war in Ukraine, serving as one of Russia’s negotiators in the secret talks with a member of the Ukrainian parliament to end Russia’s 2022 siege of the strategic city of Mariupol, Ukraine.
    — Anna Chernova, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of member

Browse Nearby Words

comply (with)
component
components
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Cite this Entry

“Component.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/component. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on component

Nglish: Translation of component for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about component

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