What does constitutional mean?
Constitutional functions chiefly as an adjective with two related senses. Its most common meaning describes anything pertaining to a constitution — the fundamental principles and laws by which a state or organization is governed — as in 'constitutional rights', 'constitutional monarchy', or a 'constitutional amendment'. In this sense the word carries a formal, legal register and often implies legitimacy: an action is 'constitutional' when permitted under the established framework of rules. A second, older sense refers to what arises from a person's inherent physical or mental makeup, as in a 'constitutional weakness' or a constitutional tendency toward illness — language still found in medical and literary writing. The word can also serve as a noun, most famously in British usage where 'a constitutional' once meant a brisk walk taken for one's health, reflecting a Victorian faith in exercise. Derived from Latin constituere, 'to set up' or 'establish', constitutional remains essential vocabulary in law, politics, medicine, and everyday talk about rights and governance.
Of, relating to, or consistent with a constitution — especially the constitution of a state — or relating to the inherent physical makeup of a person.
"Parliament passed the bill only after confirming it was constitutional."
When applied to persons or health, the word tends to appear in formal, medical, or literary contexts rather than casual speech.
A walk taken regularly for the sake of one's health.
"Every evening after tea, he set off on his usual constitutional along the seafront."
Chiefly British and now dated or old-fashioned; the plural form applies only to this noun sense.
Applies only to the noun sense of 'constitutional' meaning a health-giving walk; the adjective has no plural form.
"Her doctor recommended regular constitutionals before breakfast."
In Victorian Britain, doctors didn't just prescribe medicine — they prescribed 'a constitutional,' meaning a brisk daily walk taken purely for the good of your constitution.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of constitutional
Constitutional derives from 'constitution', which entered English from Old French and ultimately from the Latin verb constituere, meaning 'to set up, establish, or constitute'. The adjective emerged in English around the early 17th century as political and legal thought placed increasing emphasis on the framework of a state's fundamental laws. Its medical sense — describing traits inherent in a person's physical constitution — developed alongside the noun's use for the composition of a body. Cognates sharing the same Latin root include 'constitute', 'constituent', and 'reconstitute'.
Related word forms
How constitutional is actually used
The dominant modern use concerns law and government ('constitutional rights', 'constitutional crisis'), carrying a formal register. The second sense — describing traits rooted in someone's physical or mental makeup — survives mainly in medical or literary contexts. As a noun meaning 'a walk for one's health', the word now sounds distinctly old-fashioned or British-vintage.
Easily confused with constitutional
Institutional relates to institutions and their established practices, whereas constitutional relates specifically to constitutions — the fundamental legal or structural framework of a state, body, or person.
As an adjective it describes something relating to a constitution or bodily constitution; as a noun (chiefly historical/British) a 'constitutional' means a brisk walk taken for the sake of one's health.