Constitutional Convention

American  

noun

1. the convention in Philadelphia (1787) of representatives from each of the former Colonies, except Rhode Island, at which the Constitution of the United States was framed.

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Constitutional Convention Cultural  

1. The gathering that drafted the Constitution of the United States in 1787; all states were invited to send delegates. The convention, meeting in Philadelphia, designed a government with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It established Congress as a lawmaking body with two houses: each state is given two representatives in the Senate, whereas representation in the House of Representatives is based on population.

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Example Sentences

In 1889, delegates to that year’s constitutional convention debated various amounts before settling on $200.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Repealing the amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures - a process viewed as highly unlikely.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025

Several other states, including New Jersey and Illinois, have similarly rescinded their open calls for a constitutional convention in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

It is conceivable we get reform from a constitutional convention, but unlikely.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2024

Its aim was to agitate for a national constitutional convention for all South Africans.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela