Preamble vs. Constitution — What's the Difference?

A preamble is an introductory and expressionary statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy. When applied to the opening paragraphs of a statute, it may recite historical facts pertinent to the subject of the statute.

A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.When these principles are written down into a single document or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to embody a written constitution; if they are encompassed in a single comprehensive document, it is said to embody a codified constitution. The Constitution of the United Kingdom is a notable example of an uncodified constitution; it is instead written in numerous fundamental Acts of a legislature, court cases or treaties.Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign countries to companies and unincorporated associations.

A preliminary or preparatory statement; an introduction

The act or process of composing, setting up, or establishing.

The introduction to a formal document that explains its purpose.

The composition or structure of something; makeup.

A statement accompanying a law or regulation specifying its purpose or reason for enactment.

The physical makeup of a person

An introductory occurrence or fact; a preliminary.

The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution.

A short preliminary statement or remark, especially an explanatory introduction to a formal document or statute.

The document in which such a system is recorded.

A syncword.

Constitution The supreme law of the United States, consisting of the document ratified by the original thirteen states (1787-1790) and subsequent amendments.

(intransitive) To speak or write a preamble; to provide a preliminary statement or set of remarks.

The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.

A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

(government) The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.

To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble.

(law) A legal document describing such a formal system.

A preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)

(Catholicism) A document issued by a religious authority serving to promulgate some particular church laws or doctrines.

Make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document

A person's physical makeup or temperament, especially in respect of robustness.

(dated) The general health of a person.

The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation.

The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation.

The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution.

The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.

The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs.

An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian.

Law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

The act of forming something;

The way in which someone or something is composed

United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston