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

He also said he was proud to be involved in the construction of the Camarillo Public Library building and new police station, as well as the creation of Cal State Channel Islands in Camarillo.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2019, unionized construction workers raised alarms about a company building luxury apartments in Oakland that appeared to be skirting its financial obligations, both to the state and its employees.

From Los Angeles Times

“Although no one was injured in either case, the construction, placement and timing of the devices indicated San Diego intended to cause serious injury or death.”

From Los Angeles Times

He gestured toward a patch of land off a path covered in pine needles and construction vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

Every year, the Delhi government implements an annual action plan, which includes measures such as driving restrictions and a ban on construction activities during peak pollution periods.

From BBC

Related Words

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