konstitution

Konstitution is a term used in several languages to denote the system of fundamental rules and principles that govern a political entity or, in a medical or biological sense, the general physical makeup of a person. In political science and law, it refers to the constitution, the framework that defines the structure of government, distributes powers, and protects individual rights.

In political contexts, constitutions may be written in a single codified document or exist as an unwritten body of fundamental laws and principles. They establish the main organs of government—such as the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary—their powers and checks on one another, the processes for elections and governance, and the procedures for amending the document. They often enshrine civil liberties, define the sovereignty of the state, and set the relationship between citizens and the state.

Language usage varies: in German, the common term is Verfassung; in Swedish and Norwegian, konstitution is the cognate used for the constitutional framework. In English, the standard term is constitution. In addition to the political sense, konstitution can refer to a person’s constitution—their general health, vitality, and physical temperament—used in medical, anthropological, or everyday contexts to describe overall condition rather than a legal document.

Notable constitutional frameworks include the United States Constitution (written, 1787) and the Indian Constitution (1950), among many others globally. Constitutions may be amended or reinterpreted over time to adapt to social, political, and technological changes.