constitution

noun

con·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən How to pronounce constitution (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
a
: the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
b
: a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization
2
a
: the physical makeup of the individual especially with respect to the health, strength, and appearance of the body
a hearty constitution
b
: the structure, composition, physical makeup, or nature of something
the constitution of society
3
: the mode in which a state or society is organized
especially : the manner in which sovereign power is distributed
4
: an established law or custom : ordinance
5
: the act of establishing, making, or setting up
before the constitution of civil laws
constitutionless adjective

Did you know?

Constitution was constituted in 14th-century English as a word indicating an established law or custom. It is from Latin constitutus, the past participle of constituere, meaning "to set up," which is based on an agreement of the prefix com- ("with, together, jointly") with the verb statuere ("to set or place"). Statuere is the root of statute, which, like constitution, has a legal background; it refers to a set law, rule, or regulation. Constitution is also the name for a system of laws and principles by which a country, state, or organization is governed or the document written as a record of them. Outside of law, the word is used in reference to the physical health or condition of the body ("a person of hearty constitution") or to the form or structure of something ("the molecular constitution of the chemical").

Examples of constitution in a Sentence

The state's constitution has strict rules about what tax money can be used for. Members of the club have drafted a new constitution. The state's original constitution is on display at the museum. He has a robust constitution. Only animals with strong constitutions are able to survive the island's harsh winters. What is the molecular constitution of the chemical?
Recent Examples on the Web As the world marks International Women’s Day, Ireland is voting on a pair of referendum questions about how its constitution should refer to the role of women, who is responsible for providing care, and how to define a family. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The vote marks the 25th time the French government has amended its constitution since the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958. Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 The same poll also showed that a solid majority of people are in favor of enshrining it in the constitution. Barbara Surk, Fortune Europe, 4 Mar. 2024 Egypt, which has moved to Islamism with a constitution referring to sharia as the source of law since 1980, and Saudi Arabia, which has recently become less Islamist and more nationalist through Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reforms, are now regional allies. Ahmet T. Kuru, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2024 The president faced immense pressure from the international community over gang violence and a political crisis deepened by long-overdue elections and his push to change the constitution. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 There is talk of drafting a constitution of Białowieża. Nathan Jeffers, Hazlitt, 28 Feb. 2024 But the annual budget bill process achieves new levels of absurdity because of both a bait and switch change to the constitution in 2010 and the fact that California is now a one-party state. Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Any red state that allows for ballot measures to amend the state constitution. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constitution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see constitute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of constitution was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near constitution

Cite this Entry

“Constitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

constitution

noun
con·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce constitution (audio)
1
: the act of establishing, making, or setting up
2
a
: the physical makeup of an individual
b
: the structure, composition, or basic qualities of something
3
a
: the basic beliefs and laws of a nation, state, or social group that establish the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
b
: a document containing a constitution

Medical Definition

constitution

noun
con·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce constitution (audio)
1
: the physical makeup of the individual comprising inherited qualities modified by environment
2
: the structure of a compound as determined by the kind, number, and arrangement of atoms in its molecule
constitutional adjective

Legal Definition

constitution

noun
con·​sti·​tu·​tion
1
: the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
2
: a written instrument containing the fundamental rules of a political or social organization
especially, capitalized : the U.S. Constitution compare charter, declaration

Note: A constitution was originally simply a law, ordinance, or decree usually made by a king, emperor, or other superior authority. A constitution now usually contains the fundamental law and principles with which all other laws must conform. Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the British Constitution is not set down in a comprehensive document, but is found in a variety of statutes (as the Magna Carta) and in common law. Canada inherited many of the rules and practices that are considered part of the British Constitution, but the Constitution of Canada is also set down in comprehensive documents, such as the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867).

Etymology

Latin constitutio system, fundamental principles (of an institution), from constituere to set up, establish

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