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Components Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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components

[kəmˈpoʊnənts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

engineering

Parts or elements that make up a whole system or structure.

Synonyms

elements, parts, pieces.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
components

Appropriate in technical or engineering contexts when referring to parts that work together within a system or device.

  • The components of the machine need regular maintenance.
  • We need high-quality components for the computer.
parts

General term that can be used in most everyday contexts to refer to pieces or sections of a whole.

  • The parts of the puzzle were scattered on the floor.
  • He took the clock apart to see how all the parts fit together.
elements

Used when discussing fundamental principles, basic parts of a whole, or in scientific contexts.

  • Water is composed of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Patience and dedication are essential elements of success.
pieces

Refers to smaller segments or fragments of a whole, often used in more casual or physical contexts.

  • She picked up the broken pieces of the vase.
  • The artist carefully arranged the pieces of the collage.

Examples of usage

  • The components of the computer include the motherboard, CPU, and RAM.
  • The car's engine and wheels are essential components for its operation.
Context #2 | Noun

chemistry

Substances that are combined to form a mixture or compound.

Synonyms

constituents, elements, ingredients.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
components

Suitable for talking about parts of systems, machinery, or other complex structures.

  • The device was malfunctioning because one of its components was broken.
  • Engineers need to understand how all the components work together to fix the problem.
ingredients

Commonly used when talking about the parts of a recipe or another mixture, especially in culinary contexts.

  • The recipe calls for fresh ingredients like tomatoes and basil.
  • What are the main ingredients of this soup?
elements

Used to talk about the simplest parts of a system or a group, and also in a scientific sense to refer to basic building blocks in chemistry.

  • Patience and hard work are key elements of success.
  • In chemistry, elements are pure substances consisting of only one type of atom.
constituents

Often used in scientific or formal contexts when describing the parts that make up a whole, especially in chemistry or materials science.

  • Water is made up of two constituents: hydrogen and oxygen.
  • The researchers analyzed the constituents of the new alloy.

Examples of usage

  • Hydrogen and oxygen are the components of water.
  • The components of air include nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
Context #3 | Noun

mathematics

The numbers or quantities that are added together to form a larger number or quantity.

Synonyms

elements, factors, parts.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
components

Utilize 'components' when referring to individual pieces that make up a mechanical or electronic assembly, or parts that have a specific function within a whole system.

  • The components of the computer include the motherboard, CPU, and RAM.
  • We need to replace several components in the engine for it to function properly.
elements

Choose 'elements' when talking about fundamental aspects, basic parts of a system, or abstract parts of something larger, often in scientific, technical, or educational contexts.

  • The periodic table lists all known chemical elements.
  • Trust is a key element in any relationship.
parts

Employ 'parts' for general usage when referring to bits of something that can be either physical items or intangible sections. It’s a more casual term compared to 'components' or 'elements'.

  • I need to replace a part in my car.
  • She divided the cake into eight parts.
factors

Use 'factors' in contexts where you are discussing contributions to an outcome or how different influences affect a result. Often used in scientific, mathematical, or analytical discussions.

  • Many factors contribute to climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
  • The main factor in his decision was the cost of living in the new city.

Examples of usage

  • In the equation 5x + 3y = 12, 5 and 3 are the components of the expression.
  • The components of a vector can be represented by its coordinates.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • In computer science, components refer to parts of software or hardware, like motherboards or software modules.
  • The concept of reusable components greatly changed software development, making things faster and more efficient.
  • The growing trend of modular design allows various components to be upgraded without replacing entire systems.

Science

  • In chemistry, components are substances that make up a compound; for example, hydrogen and oxygen are components of water.
  • Biological systems consist of components like cells and organs working together to sustain life.
  • In physics, the components of a force can be broken down into different directions, aiding in understanding motion.

Education

  • Teaching about components can help students understand complex systems, such as the human body or ecosystems.
  • Breaking down a book into its components, like plot, characters, and themes, helps in comprehension.
  • Component analysis in mathematics allows students to tackle complicated problems by focusing on simpler parts.

Art and Design

  • In visual arts, components may refer to elements like color, line, and shape that come together to form a piece.
  • Designers often use modular components to create flexible layouts in websites and applications.
  • Each component in a piece of music, like melody and harmony, contributes to the overall effect of the composition.

Origin of 'components'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'componere', meaning 'to put together'.
  • It started being used in English around the 14th century, highlighting its role in building things.
  • The prefix 'com-' means 'together', and 'ponere' means 'to put', showing how parts fit together.

The word 'components' originated from the Latin word 'componentem', which means 'constituting'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century. Over time, the term has been widely used in various fields such as engineering, chemistry, and mathematics to refer to the parts, elements, or substances that make up a whole. The concept of components plays a crucial role in understanding the structure and composition of complex systems.

See also: component.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,445, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.