constitutional

American  

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

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

constitutionals plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• constitutionals
  plural

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

Constitutional privacy is not lost because the government chooses to invade it one fragment at a time.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026

Appeared in the June 26, 2026, print edition as 'Thomas’s Constitutional Firepower'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

"The only way we will be able to get a referendum is if the Constitutional Court issues an order that this is compulsory, as it is."

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

In February, senior police officer Brig Rachel Matjeng appeared before the commission, which is named after retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga who is heading the inquiry.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

His absence from the Constitutional Convention was regretted by all—along with Madison he was regarded as America’s most sophisticated student of government.

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

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory