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Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Constitution

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃn/nounCore term

In law, constitution means: The basic set of laws and principles that sets up a state, organises its powers and protects the fundamental rights of its people.

In Turkish: anayasa

How it is used

Written 'the Constitution' with a capital letter when it names a specific country's text. The adjective 'constitutional' is very common: constitutional right, constitutional court, unconstitutional. The UK is a well-known example of a country with no single written constitution.

Example sentences

  1. The constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but it also allows certain limits.

  2. The applicants argue that the new rule is unconstitutional.

Common collocations

  • under the constitution
  • amend the constitution
  • constitutional right
  • constitutional court
  • lawThe system of rules that a society enforces through its courts and the state; also a single rule passed by a parliament, or the subject you study at university.
  • rule of lawThe principle that everyone, including the government and officials, must follow the law, and that laws are applied fairly by independent courts.
  • rightSomething the law allows you to have or do, or allows you to demand from others, such as the right to a fair trial or the right to be paid.
  • supreme courtThe highest court in a country or state, whose decisions on legal questions usually bind lower courts and cannot be appealed any further.
  • amendTo make changes to a law, contract or court document in order to correct or improve it, without replacing the whole text.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.