Word
constitution
Phoneticscon·sti·tu·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən/
UK/kˌɒnstɪtjˈuːʃən/
Definitions
01system of laws
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. the set of basic laws and principles that a country or organization is governed by.
n. the fundamental principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government.
“The country's constitution protects the right of every citizen to vote in elections.”
“The proposed amendment to the constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament to pass into law.”
Usage
Often capitalized when referring to a specific document, such as the US Constitution.
02physical health
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. your general health and how strong your body is.
n. the physical makeup of an individual, specifically regarding their inherent health, strength, and resilience.
“He has a very strong constitution and rarely gets sick, even in winter.”
“Despite her advanced age, she possessed a robust constitution that allowed her to recover quickly from the surgery.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, this is a formal way to describe health; 'health' or 'build' are more common in daily speech.
03structure or makeup
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the way that something is put together or organized.
n. the composition or structure of something; the way in which various parts are set up to form a whole.
“Scientists are studying the chemical constitution of the soil on Mars.”
“The genetic constitution of the species has changed significantly over thousands of years of isolation on the island.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “constitution” in context.
Verb
01. amend the constitution
“The government proposed a referendum to amend the constitution and grant more power to the regions.”
verb + noun
02. draft a constitution
“After the revolution, a committee of legal experts was formed to draft a new constitution.”
verb + noun
03. uphold the constitution
“Every elected official must take an oath to protect and uphold the constitution of the republic.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. delicate constitution
“The child had a delicate constitution and required constant medical supervision during the winter.”
adj + noun
05. robust constitution
“Despite his advanced age, he possessed a robust constitution and rarely fell ill.”
adj + noun
06. unwritten constitution
“The United Kingdom is famous for having an unwritten constitution based on tradition and precedent.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. provisions of the constitution
“Under the provisions of the constitution, the president is limited to two terms in office.”
noun + of + noun
08. violation of the constitution
“The Supreme Court ruled that the new surveillance law was a clear violation of the constitution.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
09. in the constitution
“The right to free speech is explicitly enshrined in the constitution.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“New York's state constitution has its own prohibition on double jeopardy, which, if invoked here, could have a knock-on effect on Mangione's upcoming state trial.” “The federal lawsuit alleges that the service from the president's media company violates the Constitution.” “She said the suspension of the constitution had resulted in “a blanket annulment of all former [existing] laws”.” Etymology
PIE word *ḱóm From Middle English constitucioun, constitucion (“edict, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, statute; body of laws or rules, or customs; body of fundamental principles; principle or rule (of science); creation”) from Old French constitucion (modern French constitution), a learned borrowing from Latin cōnstitūtiō, cōnstitūtiōnem (“character, constitution, disposition, nature; definition; point in dispute; order, regulation; arrangement, system”), from cōnstituō (“to establish, set up; to confirm; to decide, resolve”). Equivalent to constitute + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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