Constitution

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: con + sti + tu + tion

Origin

From Old French constitucion (French constitution), from Latin cōnstitūtiō, cōnstitūtiōnem.

Full definition of constitution

Noun

1. The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.
• Sir J. Herschelthe physical constitution of the sun
2. The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.
• MacaulayOur constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions.
3. A legal document describing such a formal system.
4. The general health of a person.
5. A person's physique or temperament.
• StoryOur constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world.
• ClarendonHe defended himself with ... less passion than was expected from his constitution.

Derived terms

• constitutional
• metaconstitution

Related terms

• constitute
• constituent
• constituency
• constitutive