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construction definition

con·struc·tion (kən struks̸hən)

noun

  1. the act or process of constructing
  2. the way in which something is constructed; manner or method of building
  3. something constructed; structure; building
  4. an explanation or interpretation to put the wrong construction on a statement
  5. Linguis. a grammatical pattern consisting of two or more immediate constituents
  6. a three-dimensional work of art, usually nonrepresentational and constructed of more than one material

Etymology: ME construccioun < OFr construction < L constructio

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
construction Synonyms

construction

n.

  1. The act of constructing

    building, assembly, creation, composition, origination, planning, invention, formation, conception, improvisation, making, erection, fabrication, manufacture, foundation, roadwork, elevation, erecting, rearing, raising, putting up, installation; see also architecture, production 1.

  2. A method of constructing

    structure, arrangement, organization, disposition, system, systematization, plan, development, contour, format, mold, cast, outline, type, shape, build, cut, fabric, formation, turn, framework, figuration, conformation, configuration, frame, steel and concrete, fitted stone, brick and mortar, prefabrication, prefab*; see also form 1, frame 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

construction Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • dam: Water for the scheme is stored in Loch Uisge, which was raised by 3 meters by the construction of a new dam.

Converse of object

  • oversee: The next major priority was to appoint an engineer to oversee this construction.

Adjective modifier

  • lightweight: He insisted on an axle weight limit of five tons to allow lightweight construction of trackwork.

Modifies a noun

  • industry: Every year defects in the UK construction industry cost at least £ 1 billion to repair or rebuild.

Noun used with modifier

  • steel: The budget cabinet is a sturdy all steel construction to give maximum capacity of filing drawings.
construction usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

construction quotes

It may be possibletoset up a nuclear reaction inuranium by which vast amounts of power could be released† This new phenomenon would also lead to the construction of†extremely powerful bombs of a new type.

-Einstein, Albert

The purpose of art is the lifelong construction of a state of wonder.

-Gould, Glenn

Suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be enquired how the watch happened to be in that place† The inference, we think, is inevitable; that the watch must have had a maker, that there must have existed, at some time and at some place or other, an artificer or artificers, who formed it for the purpose whichwe find it actually toanswer; who comprehended its construction, and designed its use.

-Paley,William

construction quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"construction." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/construction>

APA Style

construction. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/construction

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