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

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

For instance, reforms to Virginia’s Building Code lowered the cost of constructing a new home by over $24,000. —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Available in 17 colors and in sizes up to a men’s 16, these flip-flops are constructed with squishy yoga mat footbeds that provide arch support and prevent foot fatigue while walking for long periods of time. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025

Noun

But there’s nothing average about MULA, and their new album, ETERNA, blasts these alchemic blends with darkwave, shattering temporal constructs of nostalgia and futurism with a tropi-goth sound for all seasons. —Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025

The war in Ukraine in particular appeared to reinforce the centrality of traditional foreign policy constructs by positioning the United States as the leader of a coalition—centered on its NATO allies—to defend the free world against the threat of Russian aggression. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 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

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1933, 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