constitutionalism
Americannoun
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the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them.
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constitutional rule or authority.
noun
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the principles, spirit, or system of government in accord with a constitution, esp a written constitution
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adherence to or advocacy of such a system or such principles
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of constitutionalism
First recorded in 1825–35; constitutional + -ism
Explanation
Political scientists use the word constitutionalism to describe the belief that a government's authority is dictated by a specific law or group of laws — a constitution. People who feel strongly that government is not permitted to do anything that isn't clearly laid out in a written law are advocates of constitutionalism. In the United States, this means sticking to the letter of the Constitution, and checking all proposed laws against it. The important concepts in constitutionalism are a "higher law," or constitution, and using this as a means of limiting the powers of government.
Vocabulary lists containing constitutionalism
The Constitution
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Words with 15 or More Letters, List 4
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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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.
But for popular constitutionalism to work, the people must have effective ways to influence constitutional interpretation in all three branches.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
The “Letters of Junius” became classic defenses of constitutionalism, parliamentary reform and British liberties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
The school has 30 faculty members and is developing a major, a master’s program and a Ph.D. program on American political thought and constitutionalism to supplement the growing work with undergrads.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
The weakness in the grand edifice of American constitutionalism is that it depends on the determination, in every generation, of those in positions of authority to uphold it.
From Slate ● Jan. 29, 2025
In the land of their birth they had already made sacrifices for constitutionalism and democracy, and basically they had made them for American principles.
From Under Four Administrations From Cleveland to Taft by Straus, Oscar S.
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.
