consist
v. · n.-
1 to be made of (v.) B1 Intermediate General-serviceto be made of or formed from specific things or people.
to be composed or made up of specific parts or members; almost always used with the preposition 'of'.
ExampleThe breakfast menu consists of fresh fruit, cereal, and coffee.
ExampleThe research committee consists of five senior faculty members and two student representatives who meet monthly to review proposals.
UsageAlways used with the preposition 'of' when describing components.
PitfallThe team is consisted of ten players.The team consists of ten players.The verb 'consist' is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice. Use 'consists of' or 'is composed of'.
-
2 to lie or reside in (v.) C1 Advanced Formal Academicto have something as its main part or reason.
to have a specified thing as its essential nature or foundation; typically used with the preposition 'in'.
ExampleTrue happiness consists in being satisfied with what you already have.
ExampleThe beauty of the poem consists in its simple language and the powerful emotions it evokes without being overly dramatic.
UsageUsed with the preposition 'in' to describe an abstract quality or essence.
-
3 a train lineup (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical American Englisha group of train cars that are connected together.
the group of rail vehicles, including locomotives and cars, that make up a specific train.
ExampleThe engineer checked the consist to make sure all the freight cars were attached.
ExampleThe heavy-haul consist included four diesel locomotives and over one hundred coal wagons destined for the coastal terminal.
UsageThe stress is typically on the first syllable (CON-sist) when used as a noun.
From Middle French consister, from Latin consistō (“stand together, stop, become hard or solid, agree with, continue, exist”), from com- (“together”) + sistō (“I cause to stand, stand”).
From consist (verb).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 20, 2026