What is the difference between ingredients and component?

Answer 1

Ingredients are normally in the form of some kind of substance. In a recipe, you have ingredients such as spices, sugar, flour, oil, etc. A component is a piece of some larger system. A stereo system includes components such as amplifiers, speakers, CD players, etc. There is a certain overlap of meaning in these two terms, and in many cases you could use either one to describe a certain item that is part of something else. Even if something is not a substance, it can be metaphorically described as an ingredient, for example, one of the ingredients required for a successful education is a good science program. One could also say, a component of the Democratic Party's plan is public health insurance. These are metaphorical usages of the terms.

Answer 2

Ingredients refer to the individual substances that make up a product or recipe, while components are the parts that contribute to the functioning or structure of a system or product. Ingredients are typically mixed or combined to create a final product, while components are essential elements that work together to make something functional.