constitution [kon-sti-too -shuh n, -tyoo -]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for constitution on Thesaurus.com the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed. the document embodying these principles. (initial capital letter ) Constitution of the United States .the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition: the chemical constitution of the cleanser. the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc.: He has a strong constitution. Medicine/Medical , Psychology the aggregate of a person's physical and psychological characteristics. the act or process of constituting ; establishment. the state of being constituted ; formation. any established arrangement or custom. Archaic character or condition of mind; disposition; temperament. Show More
Origin of constitution 1350–1400; Middle English constitucion edict, ordinance <
Anglo-French <
Latin constitūtiōn- (stem of
constitūtiō ). See
constitute ,
-ion Related forms an·ti·con·sti·tu·tion , adjective an American 44-gun frigate, famous for its exploits in the War of 1812 and popularly called “Old Ironsides.” Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for constitution structure ,
nature ,
charter ,
code ,
legislation ,
custom ,
form ,
habit ,
character ,
frame ,
temperament ,
physique ,
habitus ,
vitality ,
temper ,
content ,
construction ,
formation ,
architecture ,
disposition Examples from the Web for constitution Contemporary Examples of constitution Judge Hinkle said “the Constitution requires the Clerk to issue such licenses.”
Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution ?
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution .”
He refused to sign the Constitution , for good reasons and bad.
One African American woman brandished a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution while marching.
Historical Examples of constitution Her old man's constitution was never robust, and this was too much.
The Constitution is neither a legislative crazy-quilt nor a receptacle of fads.
To attempt it finds no support in the principles of our Constitution .
It is a right to be exercised in subordination to the Constitution and in conformity to it.
He was the only President to use the choice offered by the Constitution .
British Dictionary definitions for constitution the act of constituting or state of being constituted the way in which a thing is composed; physical make-up; structure the fundamental political principles on which a state is governed, esp when considered as embodying the rights of the subjects of that state (often capital) (in certain countries, esp Australia and the US) a statute embodying such principles a person's state of health a person's disposition of mind; temperament Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for constitution n. mid-14c., "law, regulation, edict," from Old French constitucion (12c.) "constitution, establishment," and directly from Latin constitutionem (nominative constitutio ) "act of settling, settled condition, anything arranged or settled upon, regulation, order, ordinance," from constitut- , past participle stem of constituere (see constitute ).
Meaning "action of establishing" is from 1580s; that of "way in which a thing is constituted" is from c.1600; that of "physical health, strength and vigor of the body" is from 1550s; of the mind, "temperament, character" from 1580s. Sense of "mode of organization of a state" is from c.1600; that of "system of principles by which a community is governed" dates from 1730s; especially of a document of written laws since the U.S. and French constitutions, late 18c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
constitution [kŏn′stĭ-tōō′ shən]
The physical makeup of the body, including its functions, metabolic processes, reactions to stimuli, and resistance to the attack of pathogenic organisms. The composition or structure of a molecule. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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