construction

[ kuhn-struhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or art of constructing.
2. the way in which a thing is constructed:

   a building of solid construction.

3. something that is constructed; a structure.
4. the occupation or industry of building:

   He works in construction.

5. Grammar.
   1. the arrangement of two or more forms in a grammatical unit. Constructions involving bound forms are often called morphological, as the bound forms fif- and -teen. Those involving only free forms are often called syntactic, as the good man, in the house. Compare bound form, free form.
   2. a word or phrase consisting of two or more forms arranged in a particular way.
   3. a group of words or morphemes for which there is a rule in some part of the grammar.
6. explanation or interpretation, as of a law, a text, or an action.

   Synonyms: story, rendition, version

construction

/ kənˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. the process or act of constructing or manner in which a thing is constructed
2. the thing constructed; a structure
3. 1. the business or work of building dwellings, offices, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a construction site

4. an interpretation or explanation of a law, text, action, etc

   they put a sympathetic construction on her behaviour

5. grammar a group of words that together make up one of the constituents into which a sentence may be analysed; a phrase or clause
6. geometry a drawing of a line, angle, or figure satisfying certain conditions, used in solving a problem or proving a theorem
7. an abstract work of art in three dimensions or relief See also constructivism

Derived Forms

• conˈstructionally, adverb
• conˈstructional, adjective

Other Words From

• con·struction·al adjective
• con·struction·al·ly adverb
• precon·struction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of construction¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin constrūctiōn-, stem of constrūctiō “placement together, building,” from constrūct(us) “put together” ( construct ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

These advocates called for imposing further restrictions on demolition, which the Planning Department said could significantly reduce new housing construction, including units that are mandated to be affordable to low-income households.

From Los Angeles Times

The models revealed a unique internal construction of two opposing sound chambers that create physical air turbulence as the source of the screeching sound.

From Science Daily

However, conventional microfabrication techniques face limitations in scale and in the construction of complex networks.

From Science Daily

Delhi itself produces a huge chunk of the pollution - emission from vehicles, construction and factories.

From BBC

At the same time, Green noted, deportations could also push up rent and home prices because many undocumented immigrants work in construction building the homes that are needed to improve affordability.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• development
• manufacture
• plan
• planning
• structure
• system