Is there a word for "Supercomponent", similar to "Subcomponent", but in the other direction?

Question

So say you have a car, which is composed of some seats, which are composed of some fabric

You could say that the Seats are a subcomponent of the Car
and the Fabric is a subcomponent of the Seat

But is there a way to describe the relationship in the other direction?

Like "The Car is a supercomponent of a Seat"

Specifically, I am trying to list "Subcomponents" as well as "Supercomponents", and want to describe the lists accurately

Here is an example of the two lists, if I'm looking at a Seat:

Subcomponents:
- Fabric
- Cushion
- Frame

Supercomponents:
- Car
- Desk
- Airplane

I'm just wondering if there is another, better word for "Supercomponents"

Old Pro · Accepted Answer

In manufacturing, components are combined to create an assembly. You will see this word on parts diagrams and other documentation about how to construct a machine. In fact, a component is an assembly of its subcomponents. For example, most cars have what is called a "tail light assembly" which consists of a light bulb, socket, reflector, and lens. The "seat" in your list would be ordered from a supplier as a "seat assembly" to distinguish it from the "seat frame".
However, there is a conceptual problem with your question: although the tail light is part of a car, a car is a lot more than something that has a tail light. In manufacturing, you might call the car a product or a machine.
For your list, I would use used in or part of
Seat has subcomponents:
- Fabric
- Cushion
- Frame

Seat is used in:
- Car
- Desk
- Airplane

Or just say a seat is a subcomponent of a car.
Edit: On further reflection, I like my second answer better:
Seat has subcomponents:
- Fabric
- Cushion
- Frame

Seat is a subcomponent of:
- Car
- Desk
- Airplane

TaliesinMerlin · Answer

Try construction.

A component is literally a constituent part of something (Merriam-Webster). A subcomponent is a constituent part of a component (M-W). You're right that supercomponent may be odd - logically, if a subcomponent helps form a component, a component helps form, well, anything built from components. So you're looking for a word that signals how something is built from components.

One word for this is a construction:

2a : the process, art, or manner of constructing something ... also : a thing constructed

What does it mean to construct something?

1 : to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements : build

So the car is a construction made from a seat and other components. Similarly, your three-part breakdown would involve subcomponents, components, and constructions, the last denoting what components can be used to build.

Other words to try include assembly and assemblage.

Is there a word for "Supercomponent", similar to "Subcomponent", but in the other direction?

2 Answers

Edit: On further reflection, I like my second answer better:

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