constitutional

American  

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃə nl, -ˈtyu- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the constitution of a state, organization, etc.

2. subject to the provisions of such a constitution.

   a constitutional monarchy.

3. provided by, in accordance with, or not prohibited by, such a constitution.

   the constitutional powers of the president; a law held to be constitutional by the Supreme Court.

4. belonging to or inherent in the character or makeup of a person's body or mind.

   a constitutional weakness for sweets.

5. pertaining to the constitution or composition of a thing; essential.

6. beneficial to one's constitution; healthful.

   constitutional exercise.

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noun

1. a walk or other mild exercise taken for the benefit of one's health.

constitutional British  

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl /

adjective

1. denoting, characteristic of, or relating to a constitution

2. authorized by or subject to a constitution

3. of or inherent in the physical make-up or basic nature of a person or thing

   a constitutional weakness

4. beneficial to one's general physical wellbeing

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noun

1. a regular walk taken for the benefit of one's health

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperconstitutionally
  adverb
• constitutionally
  adverb
• quasi-constitutional
  adjective
• anticonstitutional
  adjective
• anticonstitutionally
  adverb
• superconstitutionally
  adverb
• nonconstitutional
  adjective
• hyperconstitutional
  adjective
• superconstitutional
  adjective
• quasi-constitutionally
  adverb
• proconstitutional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of constitutional

First recorded in 1675–85; constitution + -al ¹

Explanation

Constitutional means having to do with the document that is the foundation of a government — in the US, a constitutional right is one provided to you by the US Constitution. If you break down constitutional, you’ll find the root word constitute, meaning "to make up or form." Constitution can refer to the document that forms (or organizes) the government. It can also refer to the structure of a thing, such as a species, or a person. If you go for a "constitutional walk" — in that sense, the word means having to do with your constitution or your health.

Example Sentences

They were core to the argument that Brock’s lawyers pressed, and were set out in detail in amicus briefs, including one that the Constitutional Accountability Center filed in support of Brock.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

In February, senior police officer Brig Rachel Matjeng appeared before the commission, which is named after retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga who is heading the inquiry.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Thirteen of the 39 signers of the Constitution were from the South, and it’s estimated that 25 delegates to the Constitutional Convention owned slaves.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

Mr. McConnell is a professor and director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Madison, however, had kept his own extensive “Notes on the Debates at the Constitutional Convention” and carried them down to share with Jefferson, who was in retirement at Monticello.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory