construction

1 of 2

noun

con·​struc·​tion kən-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining

2

a

: the process, art, or manner of constructing something

Construction of the new bridge will begin in the spring.

also : a thing constructed

b

: the construction industry

working in construction

3

: the arrangement and connection of words or groups of words in a sentence : syntactical arrangement

That verb is often used in passive constructions.

4

: a sculpture that is put together out of separate pieces of often disparate materials

constructional

kən-ˈstrək-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

constructionally adverb

constructional

2 of 2

adjective

con·​struc·​tion·​al kən-ˈstrək-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

1

: deduced by or dependent on interpretation

2

: structural

constructional details

constructional drawings

3

: of or having to do with construction

great constructional activity in the new nation's shipyards

4

: of, resulting from, or being constructive geological processes (as those involving deposition and volcanic eruption)

half of the area … is made up of constructional plains, as yet mostly undissected by erosion

—American Guide Series: Nebraska

constructionally adverb

Synonyms of construction

Noun

• structure

Examples of construction in a Sentence

Noun

Construction of the new bridge will begin in the spring.

Construction on the bridge will occur daily from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Note the similar construction of the buildings.

Some people think it is wrong to end a sentence with a preposition, but the construction is quite common in English.

That verb is commonly used in passive constructions.

This word is used in positive constructions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That changed with the construction of the Carretera Austral. —Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 June 2026

Thousands of fans flooded the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden, some climbing traffic lights, scaffolding and construction cranes, others jumping on moving vehicles. —Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

In 1962, Kennedy and then-First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy started a $30 million fundraising campaign for the center's construction. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

For Friday, Ciara combined the transparent front of the Miami sandals with the backless construction of the Maison Ernest pair, then replaced silver with Ivy Blue. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see construct entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing construction

• construction paper
• in construction
• pre-construction
• under construction

Rhymes for construction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids Definition

construction

noun

con·​struc·​tion kən-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: interpretation sense 1

strict construction of the law

2

: the process, art, or manner of constructing

3

: something built or put together : structure

4

: the arrangement and connection of words or groups of words in a sentence

Legal Definition

construction

noun

con·​struc·​tion kən-ˈstrək-shən 

: the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining meaning or effect (as of a statute or contract)

the construction placed upon an agreement

—J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo