construction

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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

constructionally adverb

Synonyms

• structure

Examples of construction in a Sentence

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

This trend complicates efforts to address the country's housing shortage, with Turner & Townsend forecasting construction inflation to remain above target into 2026. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

Legends has worked with SDSU as well, partnering with JMI Sports to help oversee design construction, naming rights, premium seating and founding partners at Snapdragon Stadium. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025

Van Zandt said recent FEMA flood maps indicted that the area in Kerr where the camp was located in zones designated as a floodway, which indicates a very serious threat to floods and where construction and development are generally discouraged, or in the FEMA 100-year flood risk warning. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 11 July 2025

The construction program, a partnership with Valencia College, teaches work site safety, measurements, use of hand tools, how to read a blueprint and more. —Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see construct entry 1

First Known Use

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