PoliticsAugust 16, 2026

constituents

kuhn-STITCH-oo-unts

Definition

The people who are represented by an elected official and to whom that official is accountable.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'constituens,' meaning 'to set up' or 'to establish,' it entered English in the 17th century to describe those who appoint or authorize an official to act on their behalf.

In the news

Governor Beshear uses the term to highlight that Senator McConnell owes a duty of communication to the people of Kentucky, whom he was elected to represent. This emphasizes the democratic principle that an official's primary loyalty belongs to their voters.

Andy Beshear Says Mitch McConnell Owes Kentuckians an Update

Read the full article ↗

Newsweek

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