---
title: "Constitution of the United States — Definition & Meaning"
description: "The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the U.S., established in 1787, and is crucial for civil services and governance."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/constitution-of-the-united-states"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Constitution of the United States is the supreme written law of the American federal republic, adopted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, establishing a presidential system based on separation of powers and federalism.
- How does the US Constitution differ from the Indian Constitution on judicial review and rights?
- Why is the US Constitution called rigid?
- What are the Reconstruction Amendments?
- What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Constitution of the United States like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Timeline

1. 17 September 1787

   The Constitution of the United States is the world's oldest written national constitution still in force, drafted at the Philadelphia Convention between May…

2. 4 March 1789

   The document was ratified after the Federalist–Anti-Federalist debate, captured in The Federalist Papers (1787–88) by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, and ca…

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Constitution of the United States

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Constitution of the United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, holding the Constitution confers no right to abortion and returning the question to the states.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[The American French Revolutions](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-world-history-the-american-french-revolutions)[Preamble Union Its Territory Citizenship](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-indian-polity-preamble-union-its-territory-citizenship)

Courses

[Exam World History](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/exam-world-history)[Upsc Indian Polity](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/upsc-indian-polity)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Constitution of the United States beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.