constitution

[kon-sti-too-shuhn, -tyoo-]

noun

1. the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.

2. the document embodying these principles.

3. (initial capital letter),  Constitution of the United States.

4. the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition.

   the chemical constitution of the cleanser.

5. the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc..

   He has a strong constitution.

6. Medicine/Medical, Psychology.,  the aggregate of a person's physical and psychological characteristics.

7. the act or process of constituting; establishment.

8. the state of being constituted; formation.

9. any established arrangement or custom.

10. Archaic.,  character or condition of mind; disposition; temperament.

constitution

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of constituting or state of being constituted

2. the way in which a thing is composed; physical make-up; structure

3. the fundamental political principles on which a state is governed, esp when considered as embodying the rights of the subjects of that state

4. (often capital) (in certain countries, esp Australia and the US) a statute embodying such principles

5. a person's state of health

6. a person's disposition of mind; temperament

Constitution

¹

1. The fundamental law of the United States, drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 (see Constitutional Convention), ratified in 1788, and put into effect in 1789. It established a strong central government in place of the Articles of Confederation. (See Preamble to the Constitution.)

constitution

²

1. A nation or state's fundamental set of laws. Most nations with constitutions have them in written form, such as the United States Constitution. The constitution of Britain, by contrast, is an informal set of traditions, based on several different laws.

Other Word Forms

• anticonstitution adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constitucion “edict, ordinance,” from Anglo-French, from Latin constitūtiōn-, stem of constitūtiō “an appointing, establishing”; constitute, -ion

Example Sentences

His group taught generations that “the Quran is our constitution.”

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Under Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held during in time of war.

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That wouldn’t be easy, since Kentucky’s constitution barred the government from giving away land to private companies.

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His focus was on building affordable housing, rather than the fact that to do so, the city would borrow so heavily that he would need to amend the state constitution to raise its debt cap.

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"No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution," the lawmakers say in the video.

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Related Words

• charter 
• code 
• custom 
• legislation