4 syllables: Con, sti, tu, tion. Stress on tu.
kahn-stuh-TOO-shuhn
/ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən/
Constitution is pronounced kahn-stuh-TOO-shuhn (/ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən/). It has four syllables (Con-sti-tu-tion), with the stress on "tu". Constitution (noun) refers to the fundamental written framework of a state or organization, establishing laws, powers, and rights. It can also denote the physical makeup or structure of something. In law, it defines governance and limits on power; in anatomy or science, it denotes the composition or composition’s character. The term is frequently used in political and legal contexts as well as metaphorical discussions of an entity’s make-up.
nounConstitution (noun) refers to the fundamental written framework of a state or organization, establishing laws, powers, and rights. It can also denote the physical makeup or structure of something. In law, it defines governance and limits on power; in anatomy or science, it denotes the composition or composition’s character. The term is frequently used in political and legal contexts as well as metaphorical discussions of an entity’s make-up.
"The United States Constitution outlines the powers of the three branches of government."
"A healthy constitution is essential for a long, active life."
"The patient’s constitution allowed for a robust recovery after surgery."
Usual pronunciation is /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/ (British /kɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/). The main stress lands on the third syllable: con-sti-TU-tion. The middle suffix -tion sounds like /-tjuː.ʃən/. Start with /k/ light release, then /ɒ/ as in ‘hot’, follow with /n/ and a short /ɪ/ in ‘sti’, then /ˈtjuː/ like ‘chew’ with a t, and finish with /ʃən/. In fast speech, the second syllable may reduce slightly to /stɪ/.
Common mistakes: 1) stressing the first syllable instead of the third (con-STI-tu-tion vs con-sti-TU-tion). 2) mispronouncing the /tjuː/ as /tuː/ or /tjʊ/, leading to ‘kon-sti-TOO-tion’; aim for /tjuː/ as in ‘tube’ with a light y-influence. 3) blending /nˈtjuː/ into /ntuː/ or dropping the syllable boundaries in connected speech. Correction: practice the 'sti' + 'tu' cluster with a brief pause between /sti/ and /tjuː/; keep the /j/ glide clear.
US: /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/ with non-rhotic r, stress on 'TU'. UK: /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/ similar but with stronger non-rhoticity and vowel quality; AU: /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/ nearly identical to UK/US but with Australian vowel shift, slightly broader vowels. The /ɒ/ in first syllable may sound more open in US and UK than Australian; final /ən/ is typically unstressed and reduced in rapid speech.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable structure with a strong mid- syllable vowel and a trailing -tion that yields /tjuː.ʃən/. The /t/ /j/ combination after /n/ forms a tricky /ntjuː/ cluster for many learners; the reduced unstressed vowels in the first and last syllables can obscure the rhythm. Additionally, subtle vowel qualities in /ɒ/ and /ɪ/ can vary by speaker. Practice the /sti/ to /tjuː/ transition slowly to ensure the glide is audible.
Like many English words with -tion, Constitution uses the /tjuː/ sequence after the /sti/ cluster, but some learners mistake it for /ʃən/ or /tʃən/. Remember the 'tu' in -tuj- is /tjuː/ with a light y-glide. The stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable (sti), but in careful speech you may hear a secondary emphasis on con- in formal contexts. Focus on the /tjuː/ and /ʃən/ ending to keep cadence precise.
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Constitution comes from Latin constitutio, from constare ‘to stand together, set up, establish,’ from com- ‘together’ + stare ‘to stand.’ The term entered English via Old French as constitution or constitucion by the late Middle Ages, influenced by the legal and political vocabulary of the time. In Latin, constitutio referred to an arrangement, decree, or establishment. The legal sense in English emerged in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with the emergence of constitutional law and governance frameworks. Over centuries, constitution broadened to describe not only formal legal charters but also the physical constitution or makeup of things (body constitution, chemical constitution). Historically, the word has paralleled developments in republicanism, constitutional monarchies, and codified civil rights, with “constitution” becoming a core term in comparative politics, constitutional law, and medical contexts when discussing a person’s or system’s makeup. First known use in English is earliest modern legal usage in the 1600s, with roots tracing to Latin via French influence on legal vocabulary. It has since retained both a literal and figurative sense across disciplines.
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Words that rhyme with "Constitution"
-ion sounds
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