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

It specified 10 aggravating factors, the presence of which would allow a jury to return a death sentence in the belief that such “guided discretion” would pass constitutional muster.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

"But it fell short of the super majority needed to pass constitutional amendments" demanded by Azerbaijan as a condition for a final peace treaty.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“The point is simply that counties don’t have the constitutional authority to issue building moratoriums,” he said in a social media post about Hood County.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

In Wales and Scotland it is the other way round — consensus around national identity but divisions around the constitutional question.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Despite the brutal, debilitating impact of these “collateral consequences” on the lives of those convicted of crimes, courts have generally declined to find that such sanctions are actually “punishment” for constitutional purposes.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory