construct

1 of 2

verb

con·​struct kən-ˈstrəkt 

constructed; constructing; constructs

transitive verb

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

constructability noun

or less commonly constructibility

kən-ˌstrək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

constructable adjective

or constructible

kən-ˈstrək-tə-bəl 

constructor

kən-ˈstrək-tər 

noun

construct

2 of 2

noun

con·​struct ˈkän-ˌstrəkt 

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

Synonyms of construct

Verb

• devise
• concoct
• invent

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

The first step was finding a flat area in the front yard that would allow them to both construct the igloo and freeze the blocks. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

This week, massive wind turbine blades, towers and other components could be seen sitting at the Connecticut State Pier in New London — waiting to be taken out to sea and constructed. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026

Noun

The free people of color are depicted, with differing spiritual practices that were prevalent in New Orleans, as well as how these institutions also worked alongside racial, social, and economic constructs and systems in the South. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 30 Dec. 2025

Sanders enabled Mamdani, and others like him, to start to gain traction for Democratic socialism inside of the Democratic construct in this country in 2025. —CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Latin constructus, past participle of construere, from com- + struere to build — more at structure

First Known Use

Verb

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing construct

• social construct

Rhymes for construct

• abduct
• conduct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• obstruct
• aqueduct
• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• bucked
• chucked

Kids Definition

construct

verb

con·​struct

kən-ˈstrəkt

1

: to make or form by combining or arranging parts : build

2

: to draw (a geometrical figure) with suitable instruments and under given conditions

constructable adjective

or constructible

-ˈstrək-tə-bəl

constructor

-ˈstrək-tər

noun

Medical Definition

construct

noun

con·​struct ˈkän-ˌstrəkt 

: something constructed especially by mental synthesis

form a construct of a physical object by mentally assembling and integrating sense-data