constitutional law

noun

1. the body of law that evolves from a constitution, setting out the fundamental principles according to which a state is governed and defining the relationship between the various branches of government within the state.

Word History and Origins

Origin of constitutional law¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

These are not small challenges, but they are questions of policy design, not constitutional law.

From Slate

"This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law," she wrote in her ruling.

From BBC

“This historical tradition boils down to a simple proposition,” she added: “This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Conversation’s senior politics editor, Naomi Schalit, talked with former federal judge John E. Jones III, now president of Dickinson College, about the meaning of the term “Article 3 judge,” why Sooknanan might have used it, and why recent discussions of politics and law in the news have included notably more references to “Article 1,” “Article 2” and “Article 3,” normally terms reserved for discussions of constitutional law.

From Salon

“One ought to be extremely disturbed by this thoroughly authoritarian administration,” said Levinson, who has taught constitutional law for 45 years.

From Salon