constitutionality

noun

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce constitutionality (audio)
-ˌtyü-
: the quality or state of being constitutional
especially : accordance with the provisions of a constitution
questioned the constitutionality of the law

Examples of constitutionality in a Sentence

He questions the constitutionality of the proposed law.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The lawsuit by the Greater Boston Latino Network and Brazilian Worker Center was filed in federal court in Boston and marked the first case to challenge the constitutionality of a policy laid out in a May memo ICE issued that became public last week as a result of a whistleblower complaint. Reuters, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026 But state officials are not alone in having concern over a departure from decades of standard practice, which has been the Department of Justice and its Civil Rights Division investigating the constitutionality of an officer’s use of force, especially when fatal. Claudia Lauer, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026 On the front end, the state will face a wave of legal challenges to the tax’s constitutionality and its retroactive application to all billionaires living in the state as of the end of 2025. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Attorneys argued the law's constitutionality in federal court last week. Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for constitutionality

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of constitutionality was in 1787

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Cite this Entry

“Constitutionality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutionality. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

constitutionality

noun
con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌt(y)ü-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē How to pronounce constitutionality (audio)
: the quality or state of being in agreement with a constitution

Legal Definition

constitutionality

noun
con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​i·​ty ˌkän-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē, -ˌtyü- How to pronounce constitutionality (audio)
: the quality or state of being constitutional
especially : conformity with the provisions of a constitution
questioned the constitutionality of the income tax

More from Merriam-Webster on constitutionality

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