constitutional monarchy

American  

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl mon-er-kee, -tyoo-] / ˈkɒn stɪˌtu ʃə nl ˈmɒn ər ki, -ˌtyu- /

noun

1. limited monarchy.

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constitutional monarchy British  

noun

1. Also called: limited monarchy.  a monarchy governed according to a constitution that limits and defines the powers of the sovereign

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constitutional monarchy Cultural  

1. A form of national government in which the power of the monarch (the king or queen) is restrained by a parliament, by law, or by custom. Several nations, especially in modern times, have passed from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, including Belgium, Britain, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.

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Other Word Forms

• constitutional monarch noun

Etymology

Origin of constitutional monarchy

First recorded in 1795–1805

Compare meaning

How does constitutional-monarchy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• absolute monarchy vs. constitutional monarchy

Example Sentences

The German Empire, which had only existed for 17 years when Wilhelm took the throne in 1888, was a half-baked constitutional monarchy.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

The last section covers the modern fantasies about samurai that developed at home and abroad after the bushi class’s abolishment, a result of Japan’s transition from shogunate rule to a Western-style constitutional monarchy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Born in Bangkok on August 12, 1932, as the country transitioned from absolute to constitutional monarchy, Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of a diplomat who was a minor royal himself.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Ms Harris noted that Canada remained a constitutional monarchy throughout these periods.

From BBC • May 24, 2025

Once, in olden times, a king actually had ass's ears; but that was long before constitutional monarchy: I doubt whether people would stand such things nowadays.

From The Pobratim A Slav Novel by Jones, P.