constitutional

1 of 2

adjective

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈtü-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl,

-ˈtyü-

1

: relating to, inherent in, or affecting the constitution of body or mind

2

: of, relating to, or entering into the fundamental makeup of something : essential

3

: being in accordance with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society

a constitutional government

4

: regulated by or ruling according to a constitution

a constitutional monarchy

5

: of or relating to a constitution

a constitutional crisis

6

: loyal to or supporting an established constitution or form of government

constitutional

2 of 2

noun

: a walk taken for one's health

Synonyms

Adjective

• built-in
• constitutive
• essential
• hardwired
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• ingrained
• engrained
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Noun

• amble
• perambulation
• ramble
• range
• saunter
• stroll
• turn
• walk
• wander

Examples of constitutional in a Sentence

Adjective

the constitutional guarantee of free speech

a constitutional right to vote

Constitutional symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.

He has a constitutional dislike of controversy.

Noun

She's gone out for her morning constitutional.

went for my evening constitutional in the park

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That argument was shot down last year in a 7-2 decision written by Justice Clarence Thomas, who found that the bureau’s funding procedure was perfectly legal and constitutional. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

An Illinois Supreme Court decision shut the door on the last major union attempt by county prosecutors in 1995, but labor leaders say the winds have changed with a new state’s attorney who pledged to not oppose a union drive, a recent constitutional amendment and new legislation on the table. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Noun

Some people used to refer to these walks as constitutionals, or strolls undertaken for your health. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024

The working group stresses that federal courts have time and again ruled the 702 program constitutional—when its procedures are not skirted by negligent employees and willful violators for nefarious or self-serving means. —WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing constitutional

• constitutional monarchy

Rhymes for constitutional

• attributional
• convolutional
• distributional
• institutional
• involutional
• substitutional
• interinstitutional
• noninstitutional
• unconstitutional

Kids Definition

constitutional

1 of 2 adjective

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al ˈkän(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of or relating to a person's physical or mental makeup

2

: of, relating to, or in agreement with a constitution

a constitutional amendment

constitutional rights

constitutionally

-shnə-lē

-shən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

constitutional

2 of 2 noun

: exercise (as a walk) taken for one's health

Medical Definition

constitutional

noun

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: a walk taken for one's health

Legal Definition

constitutional

adjective

con·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al

1

: consistent with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society

constitutional rights

2

: regulated by, dependent on, or ruling according to a constitution

a constitutional monarchy

3

: of, relating to, or dealing with a constitution or its interpretation, formulation, or amendment

a constitutional convention

constitutional lawyers

constitutionally adverb