Definitions for constitution
ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu-con·sti·tu·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.9 / 11 votes

1. fundamental law, organic law, constitutionnoun

   law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

2. constitution, establishment, formation, organization, organisationnoun

   the act of forming or establishing something

   "the constitution of a PTA group last year"; "it was the establishment of his reputation"; "he still remembers the organization of the club"

3. United States Constitution, U.S. Constitution, US Constitution, Constitution, Constitution of the United Statesnoun

   the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states

4. constitution, composition, physical composition, makeup, make-upnoun

   the way in which someone or something is composed

5. Constitution, Old Ironsidesnoun

   a United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. constitutionnoun

   The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.

2. constitutionnoun

   The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.

3. constitutionnoun

   A legal document describing such a formal system.

4. constitutionnoun

   The general health of a person.

5. constitutionnoun

   A person's physique or temperament

6. Constitutionnoun

   The supreme law of some countries, such as Australia, Ireland, and the United States.

   The Constitution is anchored in English liberal thought and the Magna Carta.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Constitutionnoun

   Etymology: from constitute.

   1. The act of constituting; enacting; deputing; establishing; producing.2. State of being; particular texture of parts; natural qualities.

   This is more beneficial to us than any other constitution. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

   This light being trajected through the parallel prisms, if it suffered any change by the refraction of one, it lost that impression by the contrary refraction of the other; and so, being restored to its pristine constitution, became of the same condition as at first. Isaac Newton, Opt.

   3. Corporeal frame.

   Amongst many bad effects of this oily constitution, there is one advantage; such who arrive to age, are not subject to stricture of fibres. John Arbuthnot, on Aliments.

   4. Temper of body, with respect to health or disease.

   If such men happen, by their native constitutions, to fall into the gout, either they mind it not at all, having no leisure to be sick, or they use it like a dog. William Temple.

   Beauty is nothing else but a just accord and mutual harmony of the members, animated by a healthful constitution. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

   5. Temper of mind.

   Dametas, according to the constitution of a dull head, thinks no better way to shew himself wise than by suspecting every thing in his way. Philip Sidney.

   Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world
   Could turn so much the constitution
   Of any constant man. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.

   He defended himself with undaunted courage, and less passion than was expected from his constitution. Edward Hyde.

   6. Established form of government; system of laws and customs.

   The Norman conqu’ring all by might,
   Mixing our customs, and the form of right,
   With foreign constitutions he had brought. Samuel Daniel, Civ. War.

   7. Particular law; established usage; establishment; institution.

   We lawfully may observe the positive constitutions of our own churches. Richard Hooker, b. iv. sect. 5.

   Constitution, properly speaking in the sense of the civil law, is that law which is made and ordained by some king or emperor; yet the canonists, by adding the word sacred to it, make it to signify the same as an ecclesiastical canon. John Ayliffe.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Constitution

   A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.When these principles are written down into a single document or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to embody a written constitution; if they are encompassed in a single comprehensive document, it is said to embody a codified constitution. The Constitution of the United Kingdom is a notable example of an uncodified constitution; it is instead written in numerous fundamental Acts of a legislature, court cases or treaties.Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign countries to companies and unincorporated associations. A treaty which establishes an international organization is also its constitution, in that it would define how that organization is constituted. Within states, a constitution defines the principles upon which the state is based, the procedure in which laws are made and by whom. Some constitutions, especially codified constitutions, also act as limiters of state power, by establishing lines which a state's rulers cannot cross, such as fundamental rights. The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any country in the world, with 146,385 words in its English-language version, while the Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution with 3,814 words. The Constitution of San Marino might be the world's oldest active written constitution, since some of its core documents have been in operation since 1600, while the Constitution of the United States is the oldest active codified constitution. The historical life expectancy of a constitution since 1789 is approximately 19 years.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. constitution

   A constitution is a fundamental set of rules, principles, or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These guidelines are typically written down in a single document, which lays out and explains the political structure, procedures, powers, and duties of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people. It can also refer to the physical or mental condition of an individual.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. Constitutionnoun

   the act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation

2. Constitutionnoun

   the state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation

3. Constitutionnoun

   the aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution

4. Constitutionnoun

   the aggregate of mental qualities; temperament

5. Constitutionnoun

   the fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs

6. Constitutionnoun

   an authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian

7. Etymology: [F. constitution, L. constitutio.]

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. Constitution

   A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is. When these principles are written down into a single document or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to embody a written constitution; if they are written down in a single comprehensive document, it is said to embody a codified constitution. Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign states to companies and unincorporated associations. A treaty which establishes an international organization is also its constitution, in that it would define how that organization is constituted. Within states, whether sovereign or federated, a constitution defines the principles upon which the state is based, the procedure in which laws are made and by whom. Some constitutions, especially codified constitutions, also act as limiters of state power, by establishing lines which a state's rulers cannot cross, such as fundamental rights. The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world, containing 448 articles, 12 schedules and 100 amendments, with 117,369 words in its English language version, while the United States Constitution is the shortest written constitution, at 7 articles and 27 amendments.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. constitution

   A document and specification of democratic articles, principles, regulations and rules defining the fundamental governmental rules of a country or form of unity government that are cocreated and changed with the choices and decisions of the people. The focus is on cocreating optimum health, human rights, right to life, shared and equal prosperity for all, stability, unity government, solidarity, cohesion, animal rights, right to housing, right to education, right to parent, right to childcare, right to a standard of living, right to internet access, economic stability, financial stability, civil rights, equal rights, equal opportunities, employment rights, childrens rights, sustainable development, sustainable development goals, united partnership, multi-party working, community empowerment systems, equal distribution of income, wealth, fairness and justness across society, the country, europe and the world and contribute to the cocreation of global and national peace agreements, peace treaties, the universes truth and a fair, just and transparent system of checks and balances.

   Every country in the world deserves a constitution, a living document that people know they have the choice and ability to see and change it.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 1, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Beginning
   • Fundamental Law
   • Law
   • Sailing Warship

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'constitution' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2551

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'constitution' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4144

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'constitution' in Nouns Frequency: #1077

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. 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How to pronounce constitution?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say constitution in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of constitution in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of constitution in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of constitution in a Sentence

1. Keith Ellison:

   I'm telling you that these folks are letting fear make them forget our Constitution, and they shouldn't do it, the fact of the matter is, we don't do that. That's not who we are as a nation.

2. Brian Kalt:

   When people ask me if a president can pardon himself, my answer is always, ‘Well, he can try,’ the Constitution does not provide a clear answer on this.

3. Isaiah Smith:

   I’m very saddened and disappointed by that decision but we’re looking to move forward and keep on fighting for the constitution and the principals of the constitution.

4. Evan McMullin:

   I think you knew how important it was when you sought to urge the White House that had lost an election to find fake electors to overturn the will of the people. Sen. Lee, that was the most egregious betrayal of our nation’s Constitution in its history by a U.S. senator, and I believe that it will be your legacy.

5. Ngoako Ramatlhodi:

   The right of people to protest is protected by our Constitution. However, we condemn acts of violence and intimidation associated with the protests, and appeal for calm by all concerned.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=constitution
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Constitution
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=constitution
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitution
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=constitution
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=constitution