construction

noun con·struc·tion \ kən-ˈstrək-shən \

Updated on: 25 May 2018

Definition of construction

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

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constructional

play \kən-ˈstrək-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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constructionally

adverb

See construction defined for English-language learners

See construction defined for kids

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 of construction from the Web

Last year, construction began on the D.C. United soccer stadium, directly across the street.

— courtland milloy, Washington Post, "This D.C. woman has shown compassion to many, including her son’s killer. Now she could use a little compassion herself.," 22 May 2018
We Energies’ application for the 49-mile pipeline says construction would begin in the summer of 2020, and be completed in June 2021.

— rick romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "We Energies plans 49-mile, $187 million gas pipeline to station near Foxconn site," 21 May 2018
The arrangement with Braidy gives Commonwealth Seed the right to demand repayment of the $15 million if construction isn't underway by June 30.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "When will Braidy Industries build its tax-subsidized aluminum mill?," 21 May 2018
Pending city approval, Sterling Bay would like to begin construction within the next 18 months, Marks said.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "Live Nation to help develop Lincoln Yards entertainment district on North Side," 17 May 2018
Supporters of former President Barack Obama’s proposed presidential library and museum were joined by protesters as a key city commission met Thursday to determine whether to grant approval for construction to begin.

— maya rhodan, Time, "Obama's Proposed Presidential Library Drew Protests in Chicago," 17 May 2018
Adrian Zenz, a researcher at the European School of Culture and Theology, puts the number between several hundreds of thousands and just over 1 million, and government bids suggest construction is ongoing.

— gerry shih, The Christian Science Monitor, "In 're-education' program, China incarcerates thousands of Muslims," 17 May 2018
Overnight construction has begun along the busy roadway and will continue until mid-July.

— linda greenstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Prepare for delays on Route 28 in Andover," 17 May 2018
Adrian Zenz, a researcher at the European School of Culture and Theology, puts the number between several hundreds of thousands and just over 1 million, and government bids suggest construction is ongoing.

— Fox News, "'Thank the Party!' China tries to brainwash Muslims in camps," 17 May 2018

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