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

A snapshot survey after his coronation, conducted by Roy Morgan Research, indicated 60% of Australians wanted the country to remain a constitutional monarchy.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2024

In terms of losses, however, Bulgaria not only lost most of the territories it had regained at the beginning of the war but also ultimately lost its constitutional monarchy and became a Soviet satellite.

From Area Handbook for Bulgaria by Baluyut, Violeta D.