constitutionality
Americannoun
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the quality of being constitutional.
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accordance with the constitution of a country, state, etc.
noun
Etymology
Origin of constitutionality
An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; constitutional + -ity
Explanation
Constitutionality is how well something sticks to a nation or state's official founding laws and principles. Some people might question the constitutionality of states' using red-light cameras at intersections to send people automated tickets. In the United States, the constitutionality of an action has to do with either the U.S. Constitution or a state constitution. The question is usually settled in court, since it's ultimately up to a judge to determine the constitutionality of things like zoning laws or limitations on what can be printed in a newspaper. Constitutionality comes from a Latin root, constituere, "to set up or establish," as in setting up a government with a structure of basic laws.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Cook majority didn’t even discuss the deep historical divisions among the Founders over the constitutionality of a national bank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
However, the federal courts have repeatedly upheld the rule in prior litigation challenging its constitutionality.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026
This weaseling is probably the same reason that the court teed up Section 2’s constitutionality in an obscure order issued late on a Friday afternoon in August last year.
From Slate ● Apr. 30, 2026
Not so with John Roberts, who is no less than the Grand Poobah of the berobed arbiters of constitutionality.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2026
The State of Alabama had argued that procedural rules barred Mr. Nelson from challenging the constitutionality of the protocol.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
