The Constitution is the foundation of American government.
Here we explain its parts in plain language — what each section actually says, how the courts have interpreted it, and why it still matters today.
Preamble
Text:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Plain English:
This is the mission statement of the Constitution. It explains why the document exists: unity, justice, peace, defense, prosperity, and liberty.
First Amendment
Text
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Plain English
The government can’t establish a religion or stop you from practicing yours. It can’t punish you for your views or stop you from speaking, publishing, gathering peacefully, or asking the government to fix problems.
Second Amendment
Text
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Plain English
Citizens have the right to own and carry firearms. The amendment also states that a well-regulated militia — meaning a trained, organized, and coordinated body of local citizen defenders — is essential to the security of a free and sovereign state within the Constitution’s federalist design. In this context, “state” refers broadly to the political community: a town, city, county, or state. The term “militia” here does not refer to the modern National Guard.
Third Amendment
Text
“No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
Plain English
Troops can’t be housed in your home without your consent in peacetime, and only by law in wartime.
Fourth Amendment
Text
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Plain English
Police need a good reason (probable cause) and a specific warrant to search or seize, unless a narrow exception applies.
Fifth Amendment
Text
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Sixth Amendment
Text
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”
Seventh Amendment
Text
“In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.”
Plain English
In certain civil cases, you have a right to a jury, and a jury’s factual findings can’t be casually overturned.
Eighth Amendment
Text
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Plain English
Bail and fines can’t be excessive, and punishments can’t be cruel or unusual.
Ninth Amendment
Text
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Plain English
Listing some rights doesn’t mean people don’t have others.
Tenth Amendment
Text
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Plain English
If the Constitution doesn’t give a power to the federal government (or forbid it to states), that power stays with states or the people.
Eleventh Amendment
Text
“The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”
Plain English
You generally can’t sue a state in federal court if you’re from another state or a foreign country (state sovereign immunity).