component

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   One of the parts that together make up a whole machine, system, or mixture.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the pattern 'a component of something' or 'a key component in something'.

   Patterns

   • a component of something
   • a component in something
   • a key/major/essential component

   The factory makes electronic components for computers.

   Trust is a vital component of any friendship.

   The car's engine has thousands of individual components.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounformaltechnical

   Being one of the parts that make up a larger whole.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'component parts'; not usually after a verb.

   Patterns

   • component parts
   • component elements

   We need to examine the component parts of the problem.

   The component elements of the mixture can be separated.

Word forms

Common combinations

key component

A key component of the plan is reducing costs.

electronic component

The store sells electronic components like resistors and capacitors.

component part

Each component part is tested before assembly.

a component of

Carbon dioxide is a component of the atmosphere.

Synonyms and how they differ

part

Part is the everyday word; component is more formal and often suggests a technical or systematic whole.

element

Element often refers to a basic or essential part, especially in abstract things like a plan or theory, while component is common for physical parts of machines.

piece

Piece suggests a fragment or a separate portion, not necessarily a functional part of a system.

Opposites

Word family

componential adjective

Relating to components or their analysis, used in technical contexts.

Commonly confused: component or composition?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “component”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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