First published 1893; not yet revised
constitutionnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun constitution mean?
There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun constitution, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
constitution has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun constitution?
About 30occurrences per million words in modern written English
1750 | 79 |
1760 | 100 |
1770 | 140 |
1780 | 110 |
1790 | 140 |
1800 | 120 |
1810 | 110 |
1820 | 100 |
1830 | 110 |
1840 | 110 |
1850 | 100 |
1860 | 78 |
1870 | 68 |
1880 | 70 |
1890 | 65 |
1900 | 56 |
1910 | 56 |
1920 | 49 |
1930 | 47 |
1940 | 44 |
1950 | 40 |
1960 | 42 |
1970 | 30 |
1980 | 24 |
1990 | 24 |
2000 | 24 |
2010 | 24 |
How is the noun constitution pronounced?
British English
/ˌkɒnstᵻˈtjuːʃn/
kon-stuh-TYOO-shuhn
/ˌkɒnstᵻˈtʃuːʃn/
kon-stuh-CHOO-shuhn
U.S. English
/ˌkɑnstəˈt(j)uʃən/
kahn-stuh-TYOO-shuhn
Where does the noun constitution come from?
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun constitution is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for constitution is from around 1380, in the writing of John Wyclif, theologian, philosopher, and religious reformer.
constitution is a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French constitution.
Nearby entries
- constituency, n.1831–
- Constituency Labour Party | Constituency Labor Party, n.1922–
- constituent, adj. & n.1622–
- constituentary, adj.1840–
- constituently, adv.1858–
- constitute, adj. & n.1483–1818
- constitute, v.1477–
- constituted, adj.1651–
- constituting, n.1642–
- constituting, adj.1642–
- constitution, n.c1380–
- constitutional, adj. & n.1682–
- constitutionalism, n.1832–
- constitutionalist, n.1766–
- constitutionality, n.1787–
- constitutionalize, v.1831–
- constitutionally, adv.1745–
- constitutionary, adj.1660–1731
- constitutioned, adj.1711–
- constitutioner, n.1716–31
- constitutioning, n.1820–
Etymology
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Meaning & use
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Pronunciation
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Forms
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Frequency
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Compounds & derived words
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Entry history for constitution, n.
constitution, n. was first published in 1893; not yet revised.
constitution, n. was last modified in March 2024.
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
- corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into constitution, n. in March 2024.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
OED First Edition (1893)
OED Second Edition (1989)
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Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “,” , .
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Citation details
Factsheet for constitution, n.
Browse entry
Nearby entries
- constituency, n.1831–
- Constituency Labour Party | Constituency Labor Party, n.1922–
- constituent, adj. & n.1622–
- constituentary, adj.1840–
- constituently, adv.1858–
- constitute, adj. & n.1483–1818
- constitute, v.1477–
- constituted, adj.1651–
- constituting, n.1642–
- constituting, adj.1642–
- constitution, n.c1380–
- constitutional, adj. & n.1682–
- constitutionalism, n.1832–
- constitutionalist, n.1766–
- constitutionality, n.1787–
- constitutionalize, v.1831–
- constitutionally, adv.1745–
- constitutionary, adj.1660–1731
- constitutioned, adj.1711–
- constitutioner, n.1716–31
- constitutioning, n.1820–