constitutionality
Americannoun
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the quality of being constitutional.
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accordance with the constitution of a country, state, etc.
noun
Etymology
Origin of constitutionality
An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; constitutional + -ity
Explanation
Constitutionality is how well something sticks to a nation or state's official founding laws and principles. Some people might question the constitutionality of states' using red-light cameras at intersections to send people automated tickets. In the United States, the constitutionality of an action has to do with either the U.S. Constitution or a state constitution. The question is usually settled in court, since it's ultimately up to a judge to determine the constitutionality of things like zoning laws or limitations on what can be printed in a newspaper. Constitutionality comes from a Latin root, constituere, "to set up or establish," as in setting up a government with a structure of basic laws.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
