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

Thirteen of the 39 signers of the Constitution were from the South, and it’s estimated that 25 delegates to the Constitutional Convention owned slaves.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

South Africa's Constitutional Court last week ruled the matter should be examined further through an impeachment process in parliament, rather than be dismissed.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 would ask voters in November to decide whether to add a second student representative.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

After the war ended in 1783, American settlers resisted oversight by both the Confederation and, after 1789, the Constitutional government under President Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Distressed by the political disarray in the state governments in the 1780s and the congenital weakness of the Articles of Confederation, Madison had helped mobilize the movement for the Constitutional Convention.

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

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory