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

See Examples For:

constitutional constitutionals

Lamb doesn’t describe himself as a constitutional sheriff.

From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026

Our system only functions if citizens vote for who we wish to represent us and hold those representing us accountable for defending our constitutional rights.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

President José Antonio Kast said the government had decided to activate the constitutional state of catastrophe after evaluating the emergency.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Following a constitutional reform that extended the presidential mandate from five to six years, Nicaragua is poised to host general elections in 2027.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

And for a constitutional, a stroll on the Rue de la Paix!

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

White would come and walk alongside Gita on many of those constitutionals.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 17, 2022

He talks us through his constitutionals and reveals what he found in pictures.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2021

Thinking of the geologist Brit Fredheim, and her evening constitutionals around the rig, I set off to walk Winner’s circumference.

From The Guardian ● May 2, 2017

Harry’s wee-hours constitutionals, particularly those undertaken in the drinking quarter where State and Rush streets converge, have become the occasion for impromptu civic celebrations.”

From New York Times ● May 15, 2010

He often took constitutionals with his dog, Spiro, an old gray-and- white shepherd mix that limped devotedly behind him on stiff arthritic hips.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory