constitutionality
noun
con·sti·tu·tion·al·i·ty
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 
-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
The court's order rejects a request from Florida officials to narrow the reach of an injunction issued by a federal district judge in June to apply only to a restaurant in Orlando known as Hamburger Mary's, which challenged the constitutionality of the new law.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Some of the complaints specifically involve companies whose executives served on the board of industry lobbying groups that have challenged the constitutionality of the bureau in court or tried to weaken its powers on Capitol Hill.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023
Companies, governments and venture capitalists have been hit with complaints and in some cases federal lawsuits over the constitutionality of supporting minority- or Black-owned businesses.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023
Yugo and co-counsel Christopher Collins’s argument challenges the constitutionality of the Natural Gas Act, which in 1938 established FERC’s authority to functionally authorize private companies to take private land to construct pipelines.
—Eve Andrews, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2023
The latest from Washington Supreme Court sounds skeptical of lenders’ challenge to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Supreme Court gave a skeptical hearing Tuesday to payday lenders who are challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Rahimi involves the constitutionality of a longstanding federal law that prohibits people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing a gun.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2023
Junior Sports Magazines went to court, challenging the law’s constitutionality under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
—oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023
Second Amendment groups respond Though Hunter Biden could join those challenging the constitutionality of gun laws under the conservative Supreme Court's new framework, pro-Second Amendment groups are not jumping to his defense.
—Clare Hymes, Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Oct. 2023
See More
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Some of the complaints specifically involve companies whose executives served on the board of industry lobbying groups that have challenged the constitutionality of the bureau in court or tried to weaken its powers on Capitol Hill.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023
Companies, governments and venture capitalists have been hit with complaints and in some cases federal lawsuits over the constitutionality of supporting minority- or Black-owned businesses.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023
Yugo and co-counsel Christopher Collins’s argument challenges the constitutionality of the Natural Gas Act, which in 1938 established FERC’s authority to functionally authorize private companies to take private land to construct pipelines.
—Eve Andrews, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2023
The latest from Washington Supreme Court sounds skeptical of lenders’ challenge to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Supreme Court gave a skeptical hearing Tuesday to payday lenders who are challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Rahimi involves the constitutionality of a longstanding federal law that prohibits people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing a gun.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2023
Junior Sports Magazines went to court, challenging the law’s constitutionality under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
—oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023
Second Amendment groups respond Though Hunter Biden could join those challenging the constitutionality of gun laws under the conservative Supreme Court's new framework, pro-Second Amendment groups are not jumping to his defense.
—Clare Hymes, Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constitutionality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1787, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of constitutionality was
in 1787
Dictionary Entries Near constitutionality
Cite this Entry
“Constitutionality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutionality. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
constitutionality
noun
con·sti·tu·tion·al·i·ty
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˌt(y)ü-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē
: 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-
: the quality or state of being constitutional
especially
: conformity with the provisions of a constitution
questioned the constitutionality of the income tax
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