construction

noun

con·​struc·​tion kən-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce construction (audio)
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 adjective
constructionally adverb

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

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.

Word History

Etymology

see construct entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of construction was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near construction

Cite this Entry

“Construction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/construction. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

construction

noun
con·​struc·​tion kən-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce construction (audio)
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 How to pronounce construction (audio)
: the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining meaning or effect (as of a statute or contract)
the construction placed upon an agreementJ. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo

More from Merriam-Webster on construction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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