constitutionalism
Americannoun
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the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them.
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constitutional rule or authority.
noun
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the principles, spirit, or system of government in accord with a constitution, esp a written constitution
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adherence to or advocacy of such a system or such principles
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of constitutionalism
First recorded in 1825–35; constitutional + -ism
Explanation
Political scientists use the word constitutionalism to describe the belief that a government's authority is dictated by a specific law or group of laws — a constitution. People who feel strongly that government is not permitted to do anything that isn't clearly laid out in a written law are advocates of constitutionalism. In the United States, this means sticking to the letter of the Constitution, and checking all proposed laws against it. The important concepts in constitutionalism are a "higher law," or constitution, and using this as a means of limiting the powers of government.
Vocabulary lists containing constitutionalism
The Constitution
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Words with 15 or More Letters, List 4
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I think when we think about 2026 as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we would do well to think of it also as the 250th anniversary of American constitutionalism.
From Slate • Sep. 8, 2025
Perhaps the largest events were the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation, a putative victory for democracy and constitutionalism.
From Salon • Aug. 9, 2025
The weakness in the grand edifice of American constitutionalism is that it depends on the determination, in every generation, of those in positions of authority to uphold it.
From Slate • Jan. 29, 2025
At the time, debates about the pros and cons of democracy, republicanism and constitutionalism were common on Chinese social media.
From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024
After 1789, the German was down with that new disease, French constitutionalism; liberty, fraternity and equality.
From Blood and Iron Origin of German Empire As Revealed by Character of Its Founder, Bismarck by Greusel, John Hubert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
