constitution
pronunciation
How to pronounce constitution in British English:
UK [ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃn]
How to pronounce constitution in American English:
US [ˌkɑːnstɪˈtuːʃn]
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- Noun:
- law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
- the act of forming something
- the way in which someone or something is composed
Word Origin
- constitution (n.)
- mid-14c., "law, regulation, edict," from Old French constitucion (12c.) "constitution, establishment," and directly from Latin constitutionem (nominative constitutio) "act of settling, settled condition, anything arranged or settled upon, regulation, order, ordinance," from constitut-, past participle stem of constituere (see constitute). Meaning "action of establishing" is from 1580s; that of "way in which a thing is constituted" is from c. 1600; that of "physical health, strength and vigor of the body" is from 1550s; of the mind, "temperament, character" from 1580s. Sense of "mode of organization of a state" is from c. 1600; that of "system of principles by which a community is governed" dates from 1730s; especially of a document of written laws since the U.S. and French constitutions, late 18c.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Its powers are only those enumerated in the constitution .
- 2. The best balance between sweet fruit and fatty foods is probably a matter of individual constitution .
- 3. The commission has been sparring with hungary over its new constitution and other laws .
- 4. The organization 's constitution forbids it from undertaking intervention related to political , military , religious and racial matters .
- 5. And they are demanding a new constitution .