constitution
kuhn-stuh-TOO-shuhn
/ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃn/
The system of fundamental principles according to which a nation or state is governed, or the established written document embodying those principles.
Refers specifically to the overarching framework of laws and foundational principles, superior to ordinary statutes.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, a 'constitutio' referred to an imperial decree or regulation issued by the emperor. Over centuries, European legal scholars adapted the term to describe the overall setup or legal framework of a nation.
Word relationships
- charter: A charter is usually granted by a sovereign or authority to establish a city, university, or company, whereas a constitution establishes the supreme law of a sovereign state.
- foundational law: Foundational law is a descriptive phrase, whereas constitution is the formal legal term for the supreme legal framework.
- anarchy: Anarchy represents the complete absence of organized governance or foundational rules.
Commonly confused with
- statute: A constitution is the supreme foundational document; a statute is an individual law passed by a legislature under the authority of that constitution.
Word family
- constitutional (adjective): Relating to or permitted by a constitution.
- constitutionally (adverb): In accordance with a constitution.
Collocations
- written constitution
- constitutional amendment
- unconstitutional act
- framers of the constitution
Idioms & expressions
- constitutional crisis
Example sentences
- "The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 and established a federal system of government." Constitutional history (U.S. National Archives Overview)
- "Any state legislative act that directly conflicts with the constitution is considered void." Legal commentary
Memory hook
Think of how a building needs a solid foundation to CONSTRUCT it; a country needs a CONSTITUTION to establish its government. CONSTRUCT the supreme law.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a minor law, local regulation, or temporary administrative rule.
Fun facts
- The Constitution of India is the longest written national constitution in the world, containing over 145,000 words in its English version.
Explore more words
govern, convention, governance, norm, jurisprudence, regulation
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.