The Constitution
the Constitution
The founding legal document of the United States: a preamble, seven articles, and twenty-seven amendments. It outranks every other law in the country.
In full
Ratified in 1788 and in force since 1789, it is the oldest written national constitution still operating. It creates the three branches, lists the federal government's powers, limits both federal and state authority, and provides for its own amendment. Every statute, regulation, treaty, and state constitution is subordinate to it, which is what the Supremacy Clause establishes.
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Browse every term in the glossary, or see the vocabulary in motion in the How government works walkthroughs.
A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.