Definition of 'construction'

Word Frequency

construction

(kənstrʌkʃən )

Word forms: constructions

1. uncountable noun

Construction is the building of things such as houses, factories, roads, and bridges.

He'd already started construction on a hunting lodge.

...the downturn in the construction industry.

Jim now works in construction.

2. uncountable noun

The construction of something such as a vehicle or machine is the making of it.

...companies who have long experience in the construction of those types of equipment.

3. uncountable noun

The construction of something such as a system is the creation of it.

...the construction of a just system of criminal justice.

4. uncountable noun

You use construction to refer to the structure of something and the way it has been built or made.

The Shakers believed that furniture should be plain, simple, useful, practical, and of sound construction.

5. countable noun

You can refer to an object that has been built or made as a construction.

...an impressive steel and glass construction.

6. countable noun

A grammatical construction is a particular arrangement of words in a sentence, clause, or phrase.

Avoid complex verbal constructions.

Video: pronunciation of 'construction'

Word Frequency

construction in American

(kənˈstrʌkʃən ; kənstrukˈshən)

noun

the act or process of constructing

the way in which something is constructed; manner or method of building

something constructed; structure; building

an explanation or interpretation

to put the wrong construction on a statement

5. Linguistics

a grammatical pattern consisting of two or more immediate constituents

a three-dimensional work of art, usually nonrepresentational and constructed of more than one material

Derived forms

constructional (conˈstructional)

adjective

constructionally (conˈstructionally)

adverb

Word origin of 'construction'

ME construccioun < OFr construction < L constructio

Word Frequency

construction in British

(kənˈstrʌkʃən )

noun

the process or act of constructing or manner in which a thing is constructed

the thing constructed; a structure

the business or work of building dwellings, offices, etc

(as modifier)

a construction site

an interpretation or explanation of a law, text, action, etc

they put a sympathetic construction on her behaviour

5. grammar

a group of words that together make up one of the constituents into which a sentence may be analysed; a phrase or clause

6. geometry

a drawing of a line, angle, or figure satisfying certain conditions, used in solving a problem or proving a theorem

an abstract work of art in three dimensions or relief

Example sentences containing 'construction'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Buildings under construction have an amazing way of visually shrinking and expanding. Christianity Today (2000)The demand for steel in construction is set to be slow for the rest of this year. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The two men had been partners in a construction business. Times, Sunday Times (2006)But the grammar depends on the sentence construction. Times, Sunday Times (2008)We have huge demand for housing and we need to encourage the construction industry to build. Times, Sunday Times (2013)There was also intensive construction work at the wind park during the past two years. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The regional fire service spokesman said that the people trapped inside were construction workers. Times, Sunday Times (2013)You have acquired a mastery of complex grammatical constructions. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Within the industry it was a challenge to think imaginatively and tackle the growing costs of construction. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Her father was head of a construction business and at weekends she visited building sites with him. Times, Sunday Times (2010)And that it will do much more than just construction. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The construction industry is in splendid shape. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The first visit was cancelled because construction work was due to take place in your area. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Other items were found at the site by construction workers. Times, Sunday Times (2011)One ray of hope: the president has decided to encourage the construction of new nuclear plants. Times, Sunday Times (2010)This movement was more significant than any change in the cracks caused by the Tube line construction. Times, Sunday Times (2016)This has helped house prices to recover, as well as the construction and building industries. Times, Sunday Times (2014)That construction is quite complex, but the meaning is clear and the choice of pronoun is right. Times, Sunday Times (2011)After that he worked for the family firm in Calcutta, supplying construction sites with steel. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The Government is also eager to provide sufficient incentives for the construction of new nuclear plants in Britain. Times, Sunday Times (2010)There is no doubt that the language is changing, and rightly so, but sloppy sentence construction must be stopped. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The construction equipment firm said sales for the first half of 2015 were down 43 per cent on the same period last year. The Sun (2015)