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

• erection
• structure

Example Sentences

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.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, the unbreakable BPA-free plastic construction makes this bowl exceptionally durable. —Women's Health, 21 Mar. 2023

New construction generally starts in the spring months when weather is warmer, and lasts until the late fall or early winter. —Clarisa Diaz, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2023

Use them as waders for fishing or as hunting waders; the rubber construction is great for suppressing scent. —Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2023

The color isn't going to attract the heat, and the linen construction keeps you cool and breezy. —Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 Mar. 2023

In Baltimore County, construction on a $1.7 million project to mill and resurface sections of Maryland Route 137 (Mt. Carmel Road) and Maryland Route 151 (North Point Boulevard) will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. —Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2023

The plan was approved by the city in October 2020, although construction has yet to begin. —Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2023

Meanwhile, apartment construction was up 14% year-over-year. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023

All construction will happen on-site and may require land-use controls, like restriction of homesites. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

see construct entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing construction

• in construction
• under construction
• construction paper
• pre-construction

• in construction
• under construction
• construction paper
• pre-construction

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