constitution

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

/ ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /

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See synonyms for constitution on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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Origin of constitution

1350–1400; Middle English constitucion edict, ordinance <Anglo-French <Latin constitūtiōn- (stem of constitūtiō). See constitute, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM constitution

an·ti·con·sti·tu·tion, adjective

Words nearby constitution

constituency, constituent, Constituent Assembly, constituent structure, constitute, constitution, constitutional, Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Democratic Party, constitutionalism, constitutionalist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use constitution in a sentence

You know, they’re going to have to write a new constitution, probably.
When Your Safety Becomes My Danger (Ep. 432)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 24, 2020|Freakonomics
Roe rested on a 1965 ruling, Griswold v Connecticut, which established a “right to privacy” in the constitution, an area of personal decision-making into which the state could not intrude except without very good reason.
How Presidents Have Shaped The US Supreme Court – And Why The Choice Of Its Next Justice Is So Crucial|LGBTQ-Editor|September 23, 2020|No Straight News
Xi has hardwired his personal “Xi Jinping Thought” ideology into his constitution and the nation’s cybersecurity rules.
It’s getting harder for tech companies to bridge the US-China divide|Amy Nordrum|September 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The constitution does quite clearly bar him from serving a third term, but, hey, it’s worth a shot with a friendly Supreme Court.
Sunday Magazine: Go Inside Trump’s Second Term|Daniel Malloy|August 23, 2020|Ozy

Without its special status, Jammu & Kashmir no longer had its own constitution and ceased to have autonomy over its own affairs.
One year in, Modi’s “new Kashmir” has pauperised its people|Manavi Kapur|August 5, 2020|Quartz
Judge Hinkle said “the Constitution requires the Clerk to issue such licenses.”
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution?
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He refused to sign the Constitution, for good reasons and bad.
Forget the Resolutions; Try a Few Declarations|Kevin Bleyer|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One African American woman brandished a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution while marching.
Sharpton Recalls Civil Rights Struggle in DC March Against Police Violence|Ben Jacobs|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Election of representatives from New York to consider the federal constitution held.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
“Lecompton” constitution of Kansas was a pro-slavery document which Buchanan favoured.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
In fact it was a battle between the dire disease and that powerful constitution for which the Brown family is celebrated.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
He assisted in framing the federal constitution, and made himself useful to his country in various ways.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
South Carolina adopted the federal constitution, recommending amendments, being the 8th state in succession; votes 149 to 73.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for constitution

constitution

/ (ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən) /

noun

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

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

Cultural definitions for constitution (1 of 2)

constitution

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.

Cultural definitions for constitution (2 of 2)

Constitution

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

Origin of constitution

OTHER WORDS FROM constitution

Words nearby constitution

Words related to constitution

How to use constitution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for constitution

Cultural definitions for constitution (1 of 2)

Cultural definitions for constitution (2 of 2)