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constitution

American  
[kon-sti-too-shuhn, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /

noun

  1. the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.

  2. the document embodying these principles.

  3. (initial capital letter) Constitution of the United States.

  4. the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition.

    the chemical constitution of the cleanser.

  5. the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc..

    He has a strong constitution.

  6. Medicine/Medical, Psychology. the aggregate of a person's physical and psychological characteristics.

  7. the act or process of constituting; establishment.

  8. the state of being constituted; formation.

  9. any established arrangement or custom.

  10. Archaic. character or condition of mind; disposition; temperament.

constitution British  
/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

  1. the act of constituting or state of being constituted

  2. the way in which a thing is composed; physical make-up; structure

  3. the fundamental political principles on which a state is governed, esp when considered as embodying the rights of the subjects of that state

  4. (often capital) (in certain countries, esp Australia and the US) a statute embodying such principles

  5. a person's state of health

  6. a person's disposition of mind; temperament

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Constitution 1 Cultural  

  1. The fundamental law of the United States, drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 (see Constitutional Convention), ratified in 1788, and put into effect in 1789. It established a strong central government in place of the Articles of Confederation. (See Preamble to the Constitution.)

constitution 2 Cultural  

  1. A nation or state's fundamental set of laws. Most nations with constitutions have them in written form, such as the United States Constitution. The constitution of Britain, by contrast, is an informal set of traditions, based on several different laws.

Other Word Forms

  • anticonstitution adjective

Etymology

Origin of constitution

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constitucion “edict, ordinance,” from Anglo-French, from Latin constitūtiōn-, stem of constitūtiō “an appointing, establishing”; constitute, -ion

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.

That left Khamenei as a top candidate, even though he was not an ayatollah, as the constitution demanded.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this month, he announced he would be seeking a new five-year term, which, according to the constitution, would be his last.

From Barron's

And, an overlapping circle of liberals and intellectuals who wanted to restore the 1906 constitution with free elections and civil liberties.

From The Wall Street Journal

Making the constitution took “reflection and choice,” as Hamilton put it; breaking the old order took not only reflection but rage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under the post-war constitution, the royal family holds no political power.

From Barron's

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.