What does "constitutional" mean?
Something that aids or fosters one's constitution (health):; A walk that is taken regularly for good health and wellbeing.
Constitutional
/ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃ(ə)n.(ə)l/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something that aids or fosters one's constitution (health):; A walk that is taken regularly for good health and wellbeing.
- Grammar: constitutional is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absolute, actionable, affective, airing.
- Useful contrasts: anticonstitutional, autocratic, autocratic regime.
- Usage evidence: America has an elaborate system of constitutional checks and balances.
How to use "constitutional"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "constitutional" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "constitutional" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "constitutional" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something that aids or fosters one's constitution (health):; A walk that is taken regularly for good health and wellbeing.
"Moments of potential transcendence, such as an afternoon constitutional through an expressionistic wonderland recalling the Fuji Velvia vividness of What Dreams May Come, ring false in light of this project's mercenary origins."
- 2 a regular walk taken as a form of exercise wordnet
- 3 Something that aids or fosters one's constitution (health):; An act of defecation. euphemistic
"morning constitutional"
Adjective
- 1 Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution or structure of one's body or mind.
"a constitutional infirmity constitutional ardour or dullness"
- 2 For the benefit of one's constitution or health.
"a constitutional walk"
- 3 Relating to the constitution or composition of something; essential, fundamental.
- 4 Relating to a legal or political constitution (“the basic law of a nation or institution; the formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institution”).
"a constitutional right constitutional reforms"
- 5 In compliance with or valid under a legal or political constitution.
"The Supreme Court ruled against the applicant and found the statute constitutional."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Of a monarch: having a purely ceremonial role, or possessing powers limited by a constitution rather than plenary or unlimited powers. also
Adjective
- 1 sanctioned by or consistent with or operating under the law determining the fundamental political principles of a government wordnet
- 2 constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup) wordnet
- 3 existing as an essential constituent or characteristic wordnet
- 4 of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"America has an elaborate system of constitutional checks and balances."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "constitutional"?
Common synonyms include: absolute, actionable, affective, airing, amble, ambulation.
How do you use "constitutional" in a sentence?
America has an elaborate system of constitutional checks and balances.
How do you pronounce "constitutional"?
Pronounced /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃ(ə)n.(ə)l/.
Etymology
PIE word *ḱóm From constitution + -al (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). Constitution is derived 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”) (from con- (prefix indicating a being or bringing together of several objects) + statuō (“to set up, station; to establish; to determine, fix”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”))) + -tiō (suffix forming nouns relating to actions or the results of actions), -tiōnem (accusative singular of -tiō).