component meaning

• Noun: component  kum'pownunt
  1. An abstract part of something
     "jealousy was a component of his character"
     - constituent, element, factor, ingredient 
  2. Something determined in relation to something that includes it
     "the smaller component is hard to reach"
     - part, portion, component part, constituent 
  3. An artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
     "spare components for cars"; "a component or constituent element of a system"
     - constituent, element

  Derived forms: components

  See also: compose

  Type of: division, part, portion, relation, section

  Part of: meronymy, part to whole relation

  Encyclopedia: Component

• 
  [Business]
  AmE / noun [C]

  one of several parts of which sth is made:

  the components of a machine

  one of the leading makers of components for cellphones

  Petroleum is a key component of their economy.

  ❖ car/computer/vehicle components

  ◆ a component maker/manufacturer/supplier

  ◆ an essential/ a key/ an important/ a vital component (of sth)

  component adjective [only before noun]:

  to break sth down into its component parts

• 
  [Defence]
  1. One of the subordinate organizations that constitute a joint force.
  Normally a joint force is organized with a combination of Service and functional components.
  2. In logistics, a part or combination of parts having a specific function, which can be installed or replaced only as an entity.
  Also called COMP.
  See also functional component command; Service component command.
  (JP 1)
• 
  [Electricity]
  "Any electric device, such as a coil, resistor, capacitor, generator, line, or electron tube, having distinct electrical characteristics and having terminals at which it may be connected to other components to form a circuit. Also known as circuit element,"

[Electronics]
1. A device or part used in a circuit to obtain some desired electrical action [e.g., a resistor (passive component) or an integrated circuit
(active component)]. Also see ACTIVE COMPONENT and PASSIVE COMPONENT.
2. An attribute inherent in a device, circuit, or performance (e.g., the REACTIVE COMPONENT of an inductor).
3. A specified quantity or term (e.g., the WATTLESS COMPONENT of ac power).
4. A piece of equipment in a high-fidelity sound system.

• 
  [Medicine]
  n : a constituent part ‹the exocrine and endocrine components of the pancreas›
  
• 
  [Computer]
  <programming> An object adhering to a component architecture.

• active component:    [Electronics]1. A ...
• adjustable component:    [Electronics]Any c ...
• building component:    [Architecture]1.A ...

Examples

1. the inactive components are important too.
2. errors often have more than one component.
3. it was made into a collapsible component.
4. a positive-stress component means tension.
5. the stress components form a symmetric array.