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View synonyms for constitution

constitution

[ kon-sti-too-shuhn, -tyoo- ]

noun

  1. the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.
  2. the document embodying these principles.
  3. (initial capital letter) Constitution of the United States.
  4. the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition:

    the chemical constitution of the cleanser.

  5. the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc.:

    He has a strong constitution.

  6. Medicine/Medical, Psychology. the aggregate of a person's physical and psychological characteristics.
  7. the act or process of constituting; establishment.
  8. the state of being constituted; formation.
  9. any established arrangement or custom.
  10. Archaic. character or condition of mind; disposition; temperament.


constitution

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

  1. the act of constituting or state of being constituted
  2. the way in which a thing is composed; physical make-up; structure
  3. the fundamental political principles on which a state is governed, esp when considered as embodying the rights of the subjects of that state
  4. often capital (in certain countries, esp Australia and the US) a statute embodying such principles
  5. a person's state of health
  6. a person's disposition of mind; temperament


constitution

1
  1. A nation or state's fundamental set of laws. Most nations with constitutions have them in written form, such as the United States Constitution . The constitution of Britain , by contrast, is an informal set of traditions, based on several different laws.


Constitution

2
  1. The fundamental law of the United States, drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 ( see Constitutional Convention ), ratified in 1788, and put into effect in 1789. It established a strong central government in place of the Articles of Confederation . ( See Preamble to the Constitution .)

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Other Words From

  • anti·consti·tution adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of constitution1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constitucion “edict, ordinance,” from Anglo-French, from Latin constitūtiōn-, stem of constitūtiō “an appointing, establishing”; constitute, -ion

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Example Sentences

You know, they’re going to have to write a new constitution, probably.

Roe rested on a 1965 ruling, Griswold v Connecticut, which established a “right to privacy” in the constitution, an area of personal decision-making into which the state could not intrude except without very good reason.

Xi has hardwired his personal “Xi Jinping Thought” ideology into his constitution and the nation’s cybersecurity rules.

The constitution does quite clearly bar him from serving a third term, but, hey, it’s worth a shot with a friendly Supreme Court.

From Ozy

Without its special status, Jammu & Kashmir no longer had its own constitution and ceased to have autonomy over its own affairs.

From Quartz

Judge Hinkle said “the Constitution requires the Clerk to issue such licenses.”

Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution?

When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”

He refused to sign the Constitution, for good reasons and bad.

One African American woman brandished a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution while marching.

Election of representatives from New York to consider the federal constitution held.

“Lecompton” constitution of Kansas was a pro-slavery document which Buchanan favoured.

In fact it was a battle between the dire disease and that powerful constitution for which the Brown family is celebrated.

He assisted in framing the federal constitution, and made himself useful to his country in various ways.

South Carolina adopted the federal constitution, recommending amendments, being the 8th state in succession; votes 149 to 73.

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