originalism

[ uh-rij-uh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

, Law.

1. the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted by determining its original meaning, or how it would have been understood by informed readers when it was first written.
2. the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted according to the actual or supposed intent of the author or authors, taking into consideration the historical context.
3. either of these doctrines in reference to legal interpretations of a constitution, especially the U.S. Constitution:

   Judges who disagree with judicial activism, such as Justice Antonin Scalia, tend to embrace originalism.

Other Words From

• o·rig·in·al·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of originalism¹

First recorded in 1980–85; original ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

Originalism tells us to stick with whichever of those meanings was the original understanding of the Due Process Clause.

From Time

The Federalist Society is part of this grand legal tradition and it has long championed originalism as the best way for judges and others to do constitutional law.

From Time

Originalism is a profound and principled constitutional theory, available to liberals and conservatives alike, that prioritizes the Constitution’s text and original history over even seemingly “settled” precedent.

From Time

Originalism means courts should interpret laws based on their original intent or purpose.

From No Straight News

This is why “originalism” is so beloved of cultural conservatives: All it really means is “keep the status quo.”

From The Daily Beast

Next, the court makes a totally different argument: constitutional originalism.

From The Daily Beast

And even the primary dissenting opinion used a version of originalism.

From The Daily Beast

But with time, and in no small part due to his efforts, originalism has become more accepted.

From The Daily Beast

Not necessarily because originalism is the theory we all should embrace.

From The Daily Beast