constitutional

/kɑnstɪˈtuʃɪnəl/

/kɒnstɪˈtuʃənəl/

Other forms: constitutionals

Constitutional means having to do with the document that is the foundation of a government — in the US, a constitutional right is one provided to you by the US Constitution.

If you break down constitutional, you’ll find the root word constitute, meaning "to make up or form." Constitution can refer to the document that forms (or organizes) the government. It can also refer to the structure of a thing, such as a species, or a person. If you go for a "constitutional walk" — in that sense, the word means having to do with your constitution or your health.

Definitions of constitutional

1. adjective

   existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
   “a constitutional inability to tell the truth”

   synonyms: built-in, inbuilt, inherent, integral

   intrinsic, intrinsical

   belonging to a thing by its very nature
2. adjective

   constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup)
   synonyms: constituent, constitutive, organic

   essential

   basic and fundamental
3. adjective

   of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup
   “constitutional walk”
4. noun

   a regular walk taken as a form of exercise
   type of:

   walk

   the act of walking somewhere
5. adjective

   sanctioned by or consistent with or operating under the law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
   “the constitutional right of free speech”

   “constitutional government”

   “constitutional guarantees”

   antonyms:

   unconstitutional

   not consistent with or according to a constitution; contrary to the U.S. Constitution