constitutionality

noun con·sti·tu·tion·al·i·ty \ ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē , -ˌtyü- \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of constitutionality

: the quality or state of being constitutional; especially : accordance with the provisions of a constitution

questioned the constitutionality of the law

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Examples of constitutionality in a Sentence

He questions the constitutionality of the proposed law.

Recent Examples of constitutionality from the Web

One past Supreme Court case that the bill's backers use for support is Morrison v. Olson, a 1988 case when the justices upheld the constitutionality of a freestanding but now defunct independent counsel law.

— joan biskupic, CNN, "The constitutional question: Can Congress stop Trump from firing Mueller?," 12 Apr. 2018
Fulco said the defense did not challenge the constitutionality of Cabrera's charges, but said Thomas' case is still pending.

— chelsea brasted, NOLA.com, "New Orleans-based Navy chaplain fired after he was seen having sex on video in Algiers bar: report," 4 Apr. 2018
Separately, a federal judge in Oakland has cleared the way for a trial challenging the constitutionality of the bail system.

— evan sernoffsky, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco DA urges California Supreme Court to review bail ruling," 30 Mar. 2018
The Justice Department is questioning the constitutionality of three state laws that run counter to some federal immigration enforcement efforts; California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and other leading Democrats disagree.

— emily cadei, sacbee, "Trump reelection campaign seeks to capitalize on California lawsuit | The Sacramento Bee," 8 Mar. 2018
The suit questions the constitutionality of ICE detainment requests.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "Why the suspect in Edwin Jackson's death wasn't deported a year ago," 11 Feb. 2018
The same day, the nonprofit Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law, which had gone into effect immediately.

— laura ly, CNN, "Judge temporarily blocks 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi," 20 Mar. 2018
Multiple clinics appealed that ruling, and the Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of the law before its term ends in June.

— heather knight, San Francisco Chronicle, "Chiu at Supreme Court with his law on crisis pregnancy centers," 20 Mar. 2018
Wednesday's decision drew swift reactions from organizations on both sides of the constitutionality question.

— richard wolf, USA TODAY, "Appeals court upholds U.S. consumer watchdog bureau's independence," 31 Jan. 2018

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

First Known Use of constitutionality

1787

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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