constitution

constitution con‧sti‧tu‧tion [ˌkɒnstˈtjuːʆn ǁ ˌkɑːnstˈtuː-] noun [countable]

1. LAW the system of basic laws and principles that a democratic country is governed by, which cannot easily be changed by the political party in power:

• The First Amendment of the American Constitution guarantees freedom of speech.

2. COMMERCE the system of rules and principles that an organization must follow:

• the article giving general managerial powers to company directors which is found in the constitution of most companies

3. the way that something is formed, especially the people or parts that make it up:

• This change would fundamentally alter the constitution of the company.

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constitution UK US /ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃ^ən/ noun [C]

► GOVERNMENT a written set of rules by which a country, state, or organization is governed: »

the Constitution of the United States

the constitution requires/prohibits/allows, etc »

Mexico's constitution guarantees the right of free travel to its citizens.

draw up/adopt/amend the constitution »

Following these changes, it was proposed that the company's constitution be amended.

under the constitution »

Under the union constitution, a new committee must be elected every year.

► the way that something is formed from different parts: »

the constitution of society

»

Several people objected to the constitution of the committee, arguing that women were under-represented.