# constitution

/ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒnstɪtjˈuːʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/constitution
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. system of laws

noun · CEFR B2

the set of basic laws and principles that a country or organization is governed by.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. physical health

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

your general health and how strong your body is.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. structure or makeup

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the way that something is put together or organized.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The country's constitution protects the right to free speech.
- After the revolution, the new leaders spent months drafting a constitution to establish a democratic government.
- The supreme court ruled that the proposed surveillance legislation violated the constitution by infringing upon citizens' fundamental privacy rights.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.