construct

verb

con·struct | \kən-ˈstrəkt

constructed; constructing; constructs

Definition of construct

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements : build construct a bridge also : contrive, devise construct a plan

2 : to draw (a geometrical figure) with suitable instruments and under specified conditions Construct a regular hexagon with sides 3 inches long.

3 : to set in logical order

construct

noun

con·struct | \ˈkän-ˌstrəkt

Definition of construct (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something constructed by the mind: such as

a : a theoretical entity … the deductive study of abstract constructs …— Daniel J. Boorstin

b : a working hypothesis or concept The unconscious was a construct that came from the daily effort to understand patients.

2 : a product of ideology, history, or social circumstances Privacy is more than a social construct or an idea; it is a condition of the body.— Sallie Tisdale

Other Words from construct Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about construct

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Other Words from construct

Verb

constructability or less commonly constructibility \kən-ˌstrək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

constructable or constructible \kən-ˈstrək-tə-bəl

\ adjective

constructor \kən-ˈstrək-tər

\ noun

Examples of construct in a Sentence

Verb

They plan to construct a barn behind the house. The author constructs all the stories around one theme. Construct a triangle that has sides of equal length.

Noun

He argues that time is a subjective construct with no objective existence.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Source: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy The nearly mile-long China-Serbia Friendship Bridge, opened four years ago, was the first major piece of infrastructure constructed in Europe by a Chinese team. — James T. Areddy, WSJ, "Trophy Infrastructure, Troublesome Debt: China Makes Inroads in Europe," 5 Nov. 2018 The dress was constructed layer by layer, according to the Palace, from the corset and underskirt to the fitted bodice and full pleated skirt. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "See Princess Eugenie's Stunning Wedding Dress by Peter Pilotto at Her Royal Wedding," 12 Oct. 2018 The island, protected as a state park, also has historical stone structures constructed by its former owner, a wealthy inventor, in the early 20th century. — Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "8 spectacular Lake Michigan lighthouses to visit in Wisconsin," 12 July 2018 Hello!Surprise! was a web archive constructed by a fan that cataloged more than four hundred Swedish bands, each with a description and links to any mp3s known to be available. — Nancy Baym, WIRED, "Book Excerpt: How Music Fans Built the Internet," 10 July 2018 The lighthouse, first constructed in 1857 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, is situated just three-quarters of a mile from the edge of Cape Flattery on remote Tatoosh Island in Washington State. — USA TODAY, "14 must-visit lighthouses around the USA," 13 June 2018 The facility features five private golfing bays – designed and constructed by Cummings Properties – equipped with technology that provides instant feedback on 27 components of both swing and ball flight. — Julia Preszler, BostonGlobe.com, "Top bank, a reusable shopping bag, and a scholarship in memory of a Salem State student," 8 June 2018 Woestehoff is eager to see the completion of a new performance venue, the Art Garage, being constructed by Mt. Airy USA, as well as several pocket parks on Germantown Avenue. — Inga Saffron, Philly.com, "Philadelphia's housing boom finally reaches Mount Airy. Can it avoid the mistakes of other neighborhoods? | Inga Saffron," 17 May 2018 The house, built in two parts for transport purposes, was constructed by students at Harford Tech over the course of two years. — Erika Butler, The Aegis, "House built by Harford Tech students for Habitat for Humanity delivered to permanent site," 15 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Hoffman likens the picture our brain constructs of the world to the graphical interface on a computer screen. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 This way, the Santa construct is not a lie that gets discovered, but an unfolding series of good deeds and Christmas spirit. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Tell Your Kids About Santa Without Breaking Their Hearts," 15 Oct. 2018 The authors tested this on two groups of mosquitos by mixing in males carrying the gene-drive construct until these unlucky fellows were 12.5 percent of the total population. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Gene drive used to turn all female mosquitos sterile," 27 Sep. 2018 The idea that traditional makeup is solely for women is a societal construct, which is slowly (but surely!) being broken down. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Chanel Is Launching Boy de Chanel, a Makeup Line "for Men"," 20 Aug. 2018 Much of this is a sexist cultural construct, says Marianne LaFrance, a psychology professor at Yale University. — Loren Savini, Allure, "Does Smiling Cause Wrinkles? No, and "Resting Bitch Face" Doesn't Prevent Them," 10 Oct. 2018 These are business-savvy women who don't fit the typical reality construct. — Mary Cadden, USA TODAY, "'Real Housewives'-type show is star of Jessica Knoll's juicy 'The Favorite Sister'," 14 May 2018 In a very real sense, all eight of these people are each other, in a way that ignores gender or race or other societal constructs that divide people into neat categories. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "No other show on TV would end its series finale the way Sense8 did," 8 June 2018 The reconstruction of the urban environment which begins about then and comes to fruition in the ’90s is a New York Magazine construct. — Christopher Bonanos, Daily Intelligencer, "The Birth of New York Magazine, Told by the People Who Made It," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'construct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.