Words / C1

k-uh-n-STIT-yoo-uh-nsee/kənˈstɪtjuənsi/

A constituency is the area and the voters a politician represents: tour the constituency, a marginal constituency. Seat is close in Westminster talk; district is more American or administrative; electorate is the voters as a body. Constituent is a voter in that area. In speech, her area or the people she represents is enough. Do not use it for any fan base unless you are stretching a metaphor.

Meaning

The area and the voters that a politician represents.

Examples

• “She visited every town in her constituency.”
• “She held surgeries in every town in her constituency.”
• “The policy pleased party members and alarmed the wider constituency.”

Good to know

A politician’s area and voters. Person: constituent. Close: seat / electorate. Everyday: the area she represents. UK politics.

Near in meaning

electorate

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