constitutional

American  

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃə nl, -ˈtyu- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the constitution of a state, organization, etc.

2. subject to the provisions of such a constitution.

   a constitutional monarchy.

3. provided by, in accordance with, or not prohibited by, such a constitution.

   the constitutional powers of the president; a law held to be constitutional by the Supreme Court.

4. belonging to or inherent in the character or makeup of a person's body or mind.

   a constitutional weakness for sweets.

5. pertaining to the constitution or composition of a thing; essential.

6. beneficial to one's constitution; healthful.

   constitutional exercise.

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noun

1. a walk or other mild exercise taken for the benefit of one's health.

constitutional British  

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl /

adjective

1. denoting, characteristic of, or relating to a constitution

2. authorized by or subject to a constitution

3. of or inherent in the physical make-up or basic nature of a person or thing

   a constitutional weakness

4. beneficial to one's general physical wellbeing

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noun

1. a regular walk taken for the benefit of one's health

Other Word Forms

• anticonstitutional
  adjective
• anticonstitutionally
  adverb
• constitutionally
  adverb
• hyperconstitutional
  adjective
• hyperconstitutionally
  adverb
• nonconstitutional
  adjective
• proconstitutional
  adjective
• quasi-constitutional
  adjective
• quasi-constitutionally
  adverb
• superconstitutional
  adjective
• superconstitutionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of constitutional

First recorded in 1675–85; constitution + -al ¹

Explanation

Constitutional means having to do with the document that is the foundation of a government — in the US, a constitutional right is one provided to you by the US Constitution. If you break down constitutional, you’ll find the root word constitute, meaning "to make up or form." Constitution can refer to the document that forms (or organizes) the government. It can also refer to the structure of a thing, such as a species, or a person. If you go for a "constitutional walk" — in that sense, the word means having to do with your constitution or your health.

Example Sentences

Levy is suing the agency, arguing that its power to level “ruinous financial penalties” without proving allegations in court violates his constitutional right to due process.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

It reasoned that because early voters had already cast ballots before the constitutional amendment was first adopted, the proposal was not approved before the election.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Because of constitutional restrictions on changing congressional pay, it will not take effect until after the November midterm elections.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

In Callais, Alito also promised that he was not diminishing the constitutional guarantee against “present-day intentional racial discrimination regarding voting.”

From Slate • May 12, 2026

The term conveyed the political fear, so potent among the Antifederalist critics of the constitutional settlement of 1788, that the states would be absorbed by the new federal government.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory