constitutional

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adjective con·sti·tu·tion·al \ ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shnəl , -shə-nᵊl , -ˈtyü- \

Definition of constitutional

1 :relating to, inherent in, or affecting the constitution of body or mind

2 :of, relating to, or entering into the fundamental makeup of something :essential

3 :being in accordance with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society

a constitutional government

4 :regulated by or ruling according to a constitution

a constitutional monarchy

5 :of or relating to a constitution

a constitutional crisis

6 :loyal to or supporting an established constitution or form of government

See constitutional defined for English-language learners

See constitutional defined for kids

Examples of constitutional in a Sentence

the constitutional guarantee of free speech
a constitutional right to vote
Constitutional symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.
He has a constitutional dislike of controversy.

Recent Examples of constitutional from the Web

Bachelet is one of the few female leaders in the world who has aggressively deployed her constitutional powers to pursue gender equality.

— susan franceschet, Washington Post, "Chile’s president is a woman — and she just scored a major policy victory for women. Here’s why that matters.," 30 Aug. 2017
The region gained independence from Spain in 1821, first forming a constitutional monarchy and then a republic in 1823.

— araceli cruz, Teen Vogue, "Mexican Repatriation During the Great Depression, Explained," 30 Aug. 2017
Our constitutional structure does not permit Congress to regulate interstate commerce in that manner.

— wayne parry, The Seattle Times, "New Jersey to US Supreme Court: Strike down sports bet ban," 29 Aug. 2017
With the rising threats in the region, Mr. Abe has repeatedly called for a constitutional revision to allow Japan to expand its military capabilities.

— motoko rich, New York Times, "A Pacifist Japan Starts to Embrace the Military," 29 Aug. 2017
The president owes it to his voters and, much more important, to the constitutional system, to end DACA.

— the editors, National Review, "Mr. President, End DACA," 28 Aug. 2017
His lawyers argued in a filing late Thursday that his constitutional right to confront witnesses at trial conflicts with his obligations to represent his constituents.

— david voreacos, Bloomberg.com, "Menendez Tries Again to Balance Trial Pace With Senate Votes," 25 Aug. 2017
Property taxes: There’s a constitutional prohibition on the state levying a property tax, but property taxes are a major source of revenue that keeps cities, counties and special-purpose districts operating.

— star-telegram, "Here’s what happened to Abbott’s agenda during the special session," 16 Aug. 2017
The government has constitutional limits on its right to censor you, but private platforms do not.

— WIRED, "Instagram’s Kevin Systrom Wants to Clean Up the Internet," 14 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constitutional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of constitutional

1682

constitutional Synonyms

Synonyms

built-in, inherent, constitutive, essential, hardwired, immanent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), innate, integral, intrinsic, native, natural

Antonyms

adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

Related Words

basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental; congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior; internal; characteristic, distinctive, peculiar; habitual, inveterate; normal, regular, typical

Near Antonyms

alien, foreign; accidental, coincidental, incidental; acquired, adscititious; superficial, surface; exterior, external

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

constitutional

noun

Definition of constitutional

:a walk taken for one's health

See constitutional defined for English-language learners

Examples of constitutional in a Sentence

She's gone out for her morning constitutional.
went for my evening constitutional in the park

Recent Examples of constitutional from the Web

Among the dissenting Islamist movements is the Saadet Party, a movement made up of ultraconservatives that in some ways is the intellectual predecessor to the AKP, but whose leadership actively campaigned against the April constitutional changes.

— umar farooq, latimes.com, "Erdogan's authoritarian style and pragmatic foreign policy turn some Turkish Islamists against him," 10 May 2017

First Known Use of constitutional

1829

constitutional Synonyms

Synonyms

amble, walk, perambulation, ramble, range, saunter, stroll, turn, wander

Related Words

parade, paseo, promenade; expedition, hike, march, peregrination, traipse, tramp, travel, traversal, traverse, trek, trip, walkabout; excursion, jaunt, junket, outing, sally, sashay, spin, tour; pilgrimage, progress, safari

CONSTITUTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

constitutional

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adjective

Definition of constitutional for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the system of beliefs and laws that govern a country : of or relating to a constitution
: allowed by a country's constitution
: of or relating to the health and strength of a person's body

constitutional

noun

Definition of constitutional for English Language Learners

: a brief walk that you take to improve your health

CONSTITUTIONAL Defined for Kids

constitutional

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adjective con·sti·tu·tion·al \ ˌkän-stə-ˈtü-shə-nᵊl , -ˈtyü- \

Definition of constitutional for Students

1 :having to do with a person's physical or mental makeup

2 :relating to or in agreement with a constitution (as of a nation)

constitutional rights

constitutional

noun

Definition of constitutional for Students

:a walk taken to maintain health

Medical Dictionary

constitutional

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noun con·sti·tu·tion·al \ -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl \

medical Definition of constitutional

:a walk taken for one's health

Law Dictionary

constitutional

adjective con·sti·tu·tion·al

legal Definition of constitutional

1 :consistent with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society

constitutional rights

2 :regulated by, dependent on, or ruling according to a constitution

a constitutional monarchy

3 :of, relating to, or dealing with a constitution or its interpretation, formulation, or amendment

a constitutional convention

constitutional lawyers

—

constitutionally

adverb

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constitutional

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CONSTITUTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

constitutional

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constitutional

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constitutional

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constitutional

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constitutional

medical Definition of constitutional

Law Dictionary

constitutional

legal Definition of constitutional

constitutionally

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