the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.
the document embodying these principles.
(initial capital letter) Constitution of the United States.
the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition.
the chemical constitution of the cleanser.
the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc..
He has a strong constitution.
Medicine/Medical, Psychology. the aggregate of a person's physical and psychological characteristics.
the act or process of constituting; establishment.
the state of being constituted; formation.
any established arrangement or custom.
Archaic. character or condition of mind; disposition; temperament.
the act of constituting or state of being constituted
the way in which a thing is composed; physical make-up; structure
the fundamental political principles on which a state is governed, esp when considered as embodying the rights of the subjects of that state
(often capital) (in certain countries, esp Australia and the US) a statute embodying such principles
a person's state of health
a person's disposition of mind; temperament
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constitucion “edict, ordinance,” from Anglo-French, from Latin constitūtiōn-, stem of constitūtiō “an appointing, establishing”; see constitute, -ion
A constitution is a statement of the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or group, such as the U.S. Constitution. Another very common meaning of constitution is the physical makeup of a person. The noun constitution is from Latin, from constitutus, "set up, established," plus the suffix -ion, meaning "act, state, or condition." So think of a constitution as how a body (yours, the government's) is set up. If you have a strong constitution, it means you don't get sick very often.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Sovereignty is defended in international forums through diplomacy, historical truth and the peaceful, non-negotiable claim enshrined in our national constitution," the 2 April War Veterans Federation said in a statement.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Two years later, Kansans amended the state constitution to change how justices reach the bench.
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026
An eternity clause prevents key articles of its constitution protecting human dignity, democracy and the rule of law from ever being amended, no matter which party is in power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
The freedom-of-speech monitor, Media and Law Studies Association, said Göktaş was facing prison "for telling jokes", and pointed out that satire was protected under Turkey's constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
She even convinced herself that she had a most delicate constitution.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“The Constitution is an enduring document,” wrote Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, but its rules and meaning must adjust to “modern situations that were unknown or unanticipated by the Constitution’s Framers.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
Shortly after the Constitution took effect, he urged Congress to establish a national university where future generations could learn not only how government works, but also the civic values needed to sustain the Republic.
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
During his 2006 confirmation hearings, he never even mentioned the O-word, though he did say the Constitution should be interpreted based on how people understood it when it was adopted.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Under the US Constitution, legislation becomes law after 10 days if the president neither signs nor vetoes it while Congress remains in session.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
In fact, the Virginia Resolutions described the Alien and Sedition Acts as “alarming infractions” of the Constitution that violated the free speech guarantees of the First Amendment.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
States have a “wide degree of discretion” to design their tax systems — including how they define income — so long as they do not violate their constitutions, Jurow Kleiman said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
The court cites statements from the 1960s General Assembly debates saying that constitutions were meant to be changed only sparingly.
From Slate ● May 8, 2026
In response to the decree, the Kurdish administration in Syria's north and north-east said it was "a first step" but called for "permanent constitutions that express the will of the people", rather than "temporary decrees".
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026
It added that "rights are not protected by temporary decrees, but... through permanent constitutions that express the will of the people and all components" of society.
From Barron's ● Jan. 17, 2026
Removing slavery, however, was not like removing British officials or revising constitutions.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
