constitutionalism

noun

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ism ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 

-tyü-

: adherence to or government according to constitutional principles

also : a constitutional system of government

constitutionalist

ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nə-list 

-tyü-

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Led by Scalia, conservatives had for decades railed against living constitutionalism as an undisciplined approach that allowed unelected judges to impose their preferences on the populace under the guise of constitutional interpretation. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2023

Will the Right continue to promote freedom, constitutionalism, and American leadership abroad? —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 22 Oct. 2022

The new court upholds originalism, which has replaced its rival, living constitutionalism. —Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2022

The 18th century was a period in which modern constitutionalism, with its particular emphasis on limited government and liberty under the rule of law, began taking on decisive form. —Samuel Gregg, National Review, 6 Feb. 2022

Few, if any, American politicians have ever succeeded as well as Webster at making constitutionalism so inspiring. —Fergus M. Bordewich, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022

Many Chinese who survived the Cultural Revolution – including some party elites – came away with a conviction to prevent a similar catastrophe from happening again, China needed the rule of law, constitutionalism and protection of individual rights. —Selina Wang, CNN, 14 Oct. 2022

The theory of living constitutionalism, meanwhile, is rooted in the idea that the Constitution should adapt to the American people’s evolving values, as well as the needs of contemporary society. —Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2022

In fact, constitutionalism is itself part of the problem. —Ian Macdougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above