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

The clause was later removed, but parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said changing the constitutional definition of marriage would "undoubtedly generate disputes... that is why we left this regulation as it is."

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

“There are fundamental questions of citizenship at the heart of this,” said Goodwin, the constitutional scholar.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

He added that after Plaid Cymru's success, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all had first ministers "committed to fundamental constitutional change".

From BBC • May 9, 2026

“Such an expansive reading of the statute would raise a non-delegation issue, which in turn would prompt a constitutional question,” the judges write.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The government finally agreed to accept a single, elected constitutional assembly, which would adopt a new constitution and serve as a transitional legislature for the new government.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• democratic
• lawful
• legal
• statutory