constitutionalism

American  

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uhm, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃə nlˌɪz əm, -ˈtyu- /

noun

1. the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them.

2. constitutional rule or authority.

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constitutionalism British  

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles, spirit, or system of government in accord with a constitution, esp a written constitution

2. adherence to or advocacy of such a system or such principles

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Other Word Forms

• anticonstitutionalism noun
• constitutionalist noun
• hyperconstitutionalism noun
• proconstitutionalism noun

Etymology

Origin of constitutionalism

First recorded in 1825–35; constitutional + -ism

Example Sentences

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

Recognizing this, inclusive constitutionalism asserts that the Constitution is best understood as a command to create a more just future.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

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

“Something has got to really be rearranged in these settings without a return to hard-nosed constitutionalism, because I don’t think that’ll work either,” he says.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 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