constitutions
n. countablen. the set of basic laws and principles that a country or organization uses to govern itself. These rules explain how power is shared and what rights people have.
n. the fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. Often refers to the written documents embodying these laws.
Most modern countries have written constitutions to protect citizen rights.
The legal team compared the constitutions of several different nations to find the best model for the new republic.
While some nations rely on a single codified document, others have uncodified constitutions consisting of a collection of historical statutes, judicial precedents, and established conventions.
Usually used in the plural when discussing multiple countries or the general concept of governing documents.