constitution
noun
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Constitution was constituted in 14th-century English as a word indicating an established law or custom. It is from Latin constitutus, the past participle of constituere, meaning "to set up," which is based on an agreement of the prefix com- ("with, together, jointly") with the verb statuere ("to set or place"). Statuere is the root of statute, which, like constitution, has a legal background; it refers to a set law, rule, or regulation. Constitution is also the name for a system of laws and principles by which a country, state, or organization is governed or the document written as a record of them. Outside of law, the word is used in reference to the physical health or condition of the body ("a person of hearty constitution") or to the form or structure of something ("the molecular constitution of the chemical").
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Examples of constitution in a Sentence
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
But nearing the end of the first two years of his five-year single term allowed by the constitution, Yoon was likely to slip into a lame duck status, some analysts said.
—Reuters, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constitution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
see constitute
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
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“Constitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitution. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
constitution
noun
Medical Definition
constitution
noun
Legal Definition
constitution
nounNote: A constitution was originally simply a law, ordinance, or decree usually made by a king, emperor, or other superior authority. A constitution now usually contains the fundamental law and principles with which all other laws must conform. Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the British Constitution is not set down in a comprehensive document, but is found in a variety of statutes (as the Magna Carta) and in common law. Canada inherited many of the rules and practices that are considered part of the British Constitution, but the Constitution of Canada is also set down in comprehensive documents, such as the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867).
Latin constitutio system, fundamental principles (of an institution), from constituere to set up, establish
More from Merriam-Webster on constitution
Nglish: Translation of constitution for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of constitution for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about constitution
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