concrete

The definition of concrete is something real.

(adjective)

An example of concrete is evidence that the world is not flat.

The definition of concrete means to make something into a solid mass.

(verb)

An example of concrete is to form small pieces of stone into one solid mass.

Concrete is defined as a mixture of cement sand, gravel and water which dries hard and strong and is used as a material for building.

Basic Concrete Mixtures

Typical concrete is made out of two different types of aggregate substances: a course aggregate such as gravel and a fine aggregate such as sand.
Along with the aggregates is cement, which is generally composed of different kinds of ash and limestone.
A chemical additive is used in concrete which activates when water is added to the concrete. The chemical additive acts as a catalyst for the setting and drying of the concrete in order to make it hard and dense.
When the concrete mixture is created to act as a finish with a desired effect, such as for architectural or aesthetic effects, there are other chemical additives that may be added such as dyes or specific chemicals that are designed to make the concrete behave a certain way.
Concrete roads or structural surfaces are made out of reinforced concrete made with iron bars, called rebars.
When concrete is used vertically, as in walls or building structures, the foundation of the structure must also be constructed of concrete, and must be footed into the ground anywhere from four to eight feet.

(noun)

An example of concrete is what many driveways are made of.

See concrete in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

formed into a solid mass; coalesced
having a material, perceptible existence; of, belonging to, or characterized by things or events that can be perceived by the senses; real; actual
referring to a particular; specific, not general or abstract
made of concrete
Gram. designating a thing or class of things that can be perceived by the senses: a concrete noun

Origin: ME concret < L concretus, pp. of concrescere: see concrescence

noun

a concrete thing, condition, idea, etc.
a hard, compact building material formed when a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water dries: used in making bridges, road surfaces, etc.

intransitive verb

to solidify

Related Forms:

See concrete in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of or relating to an actual, specific thing or instance; particular: had the concrete evidence needed to convict.
Existing in reality or in real experience; perceptible by the senses; real: concrete objects such as trees.
Formed by the coalescence of separate particles or parts into one mass; solid.
Made of hard, strong, conglomerate construction material.

noun (kŏnˈkrētˌ, kŏngˈ-, kŏn-krētˈ, kŏng-)

A hard, strong construction material consisting of sand, conglomerate gravel, pebbles, broken stone, or slag in a mortar or cement matrix.
A mass formed by the coalescence of particles.

verb (kŏnˈkrētˌ, kŏngˈ-, kŏn-krētˈ, kŏng-) con·cret·ed, con·cret·ing, con·cretes

verb, transitive