constitution
kon-stih-TYOO-shn
Constitution (noun) means a document setting out the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization. Example: “The country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech.”
noun
1
A document setting out the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization.
"The country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech."
"The club had to amend its constitution to allow new members."
"The charity's constitution says that a vote must be held every year."
2
A person's physical or mental makeup, especially their overall health and resilience.
"He has a strong constitution and rarely gets sick."
"My grandmother has a hardy constitution and still walks miles every day."
"With such a delicate constitution, he caught every cold that went round."
How to use constitution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the founding rulebook of a country/organization, or someone's basic physical makeup.
Common pairings
amend the constitution
a strong constitution
uphold the constitution
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Word forms
- Plural
- constitutions
Fill the gap
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The country's _____ guarantees freedom of speech.
Etymology
From Old French constitucion, from Latin constitutio, "arrangement, order," from constituere ("to establish").
Synonyms
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charter
bylaws
framework
code
statutes
organization
formation
establishment
organisation
composition
makeup
make-up
Related words
Rhymes for constitution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for constitution →
Frequently asked questions
What does “constitution” mean?
The word “constitution” means a document setting out the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization. In plain terms, either the founding rulebook of a country/organization, or someone's basic physical makeup.
How do you pronounce “constitution”?
“Constitution” is pronounced kon-stih-TYOO-shn (/ˌkɑn.stɪˈtu.ʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “constitution” in a sentence?
Here is “constitution” used in a sentence: “The country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech.”
What part of speech is “constitution”?
“Constitution” is a noun.
Where does the word “constitution” come from?
The word “constitution” comes from Latin. From Old French constitucion, from Latin constitutio, "arrangement, order," from constituere ("to establish").
Is “constitution” a common word?
“Constitution” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “constitution” have?
“Constitution” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a document setting out the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization.
What is the difference between a constitution and a law?
A constitution is the supreme, foundational set of rules that establishes how a country or organisation is governed. Ordinary laws are made under its authority and must not conflict with it. If a law breaks the constitution, courts can strike it down. The constitution ranks above all other laws.
What is the difference between a written and unwritten constitution?
A written, or codified, constitution sets out the core rules in a single document, as in the United States. An unwritten, or uncodified, one, as in the United Kingdom, draws its rules from many laws, court rulings, and conventions instead. Both govern the state; they differ in form.
What is an example of a constitution?
The United States Constitution, which sets out the powers of government and citizens' rights, is a famous national example. Organisations have them too: a club, charity, or union may adopt a constitution laying out its purpose, membership, and how decisions are made and leaders chosen.
Does constitution have other meanings?
Yes. It can describe a person's physical make-up or health, as in 'a strong constitution,' and the way something is composed or made up. This entry covers the main civic sense: the document of fundamental laws and principles governing a country or organisation.
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