Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, 3rd person singular presenttense constructs, present participle constructing, past tense, past participle constructedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kənstrʌkt). The noun is pronounced (kɒnstrʌkt).
1. verb
If you construct something such as a building, road, or machine, you build it or make it.
The company is constructing 70 homes and a 130-room hotel on the land. [VERB noun]
The boxes should be constructed from rough-sawn timber. [beV-ed + from/of/out of]
They thought he had escaped through a specially-constructed tunnel. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: build, make, form, create More Synonyms of construct
2. verb
If you construct something such as an idea, a piece of writing, or a system, you create it by putting different parts together.
You will find it difficult to construct a spending plan without first recording yourspending. [VERB noun]
He eventually constructed a business empire which ran to Thailand and Singapore. [VERB noun]
The novel is constructed from a series of on-the-spot reports. [beV-ed + from/out of]
...using carefully-constructed tests. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: create, make, form, set up More Synonyms of construct
3. countable noun
A construct is a complex idea.
[formal]
...the underlying constructs (beliefs, philosophy, etc.) which influence action andbehaviour.
It was a re-enactment of the same mental construct under which slavery was justified.
4. countable noun
A construct is something that is built, made, or created.
[formal]
The kites were flimsy constructs but soared to over a thousand feet.
The country was an artificial construct held together by force.
construct in British English
verb (kənˈstrʌkt)(transitive)
1.
to put together substances or parts, esp systematically, in order to make or build (a building, bridge, etc); assemble
2.
to compose or frame mentally (an argument, sentence, etc)
3. geometry
to draw (a line, angle, or figure) so that certain requirements are satisfied
noun (ˈkɒnstrʌkt)
4.
something formulated or built systematically
5.
a complex idea resulting from a synthesis of simpler ideas
6. psychology
a model devised on the basis of observation, designed to relate what is observed to some theoretical framework
Derived forms
constructible (conˈstructible)
adjective
constructor (conˈstructor) or constructer (conˈstructer)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin constructus piled up, from construere to heap together, build, from struere to arrange, erect
construct in American English
(kənˈstrʌkt; for n. ˈkɑnˌstrʌkt)
verb transitive
1.
to build, form, or devise by fitting parts or elements together systematically
2. Geometry
to draw (a figure) so as to meet the specified requirements
noun
3.
something built or put together systematically
4.
a.
an idea or perception resulting from a synthesis of sense impressions, etc.
b.
a concept or theory devised to integrate in an orderly way the diverse data on a phenomenon
: also logical construct
SIMILAR WORDS: make
Derived forms
constructor (conˈstructor)
noun or conˈstructer
Word origin
< L constructus, pp. of construere < com-, together + struere, to pile up, build: see strew
Examples of 'construct' in a sentence
construct
The minimum wage was introduced on the basis of carefully constructed evidence and research.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Unless it's near the specially constructed cat pit by the fence.
The Sun (2016)
Two local officials have been suspended for allowing the building to be constructed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The most difficult thing was constructing a bridge over a river with wooden sticks.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Those who had long trips stayed in specially constructed dormitories and returned home at weekends.
Shubert, Adrian A Social History of Modern Spain (1991)
The wooden frame is constructed from reclaimed floorboards.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They are not wholly constructed within the framework of each culture.
Christianity Today (2000)
They have meanings that are carefully constructed and policed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The defence budget is not some theoretical construct.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Then you notice that the same stone has been used to construct the older buildings.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
His book is an impeccably constructed argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The habit of constructing toy models of this sort is one to which theoretical physicists easily become addicted.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
It is an entirely artificial construct.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It seems the more you build and construct, the more uneasy they become.
The Sun (2015)
They are using food as a mental construct, a symbol of care.
Bloom, Carol & Gitter, Andrea (contributor) & Gutwill, Susan (contributor) & Kogel,Laura (contributor) & Zaphiropoulos, Lela (contributor) Eating Problems: A Feminist Psychoanalytic Treatment Model (1994)
More than 30 new bridges will be constructed.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Hundreds of relatives of those killed attended the hearing at a specially constructed court in Warrington yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Using these sounds as building blocks he then constructed 16 artificial songs.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The idea behind constructing the food ladder is to focus on the sorts of foods you would like to be able to eat normally.
French, Barbara Coping with Bulimia (1987)
The call for a defence of basic internet freedoms comes amid moves by a number of countries to construct international frameworks for restrictions on the internet.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The idea behind constructing the food ladder is for the sufferer to focus on the sortsof food which she would like to be able to eat.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
You may be asked to help two friends sort something out, or you may be asked to help others construct and build on theirunion.
The Sun (2015)
A modern Formula One helmet is constructed in a series of layers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Because, if they do, it diminishes the efforts of all the other people trying to progress through a structure specifically constructed on a basis of nationality.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
construct
British English: construct /kənˈstrʌkt/ VERB
If you construct something, you build, make, or create it.
He plans to construct a hotel here.
American English: construct
Arabic: يُنْشِئُ
Brazilian Portuguese: construir
Chinese: 建造
Croatian: izgraditi
Czech: postavit
Danish: konstruere
Dutch: bouwen
European Spanish: construir
Finnish: rakentaa
French: construire
German: errichten
Greek: κατασκευάζω
Italian: costruire
Japanese: 建設する
Korean: 건설하다
Norwegian: konstruere
Polish: zbudować
European Portuguese: construir
Romanian: a construi
Russian: строить
Latin American Spanish: construir
Swedish: konstruera
Thai: สร้าง
Turkish: yapmak
Ukrainian: будувати
Vietnamese: xây dựng
Chinese translation of 'construct'
construct
(vbkənˈstrʌkt; nˈkɔnstrʌkt)
vt
[building, road, machine]建造 (jiànzào)
[theory, argument]构(構)思 (gòusī)
n(c)
(= idea) 观(觀)念 (guānniàn) (种(種), zhǒng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to build or put together
The boxes should be constructed from rough-sawn timber.
Synonyms
build
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site.
make
form
create
design
We may be able to design a course to suit your particular needs.
raise
They raised a church in the shape of a boat.
establish
set up
fashion
The desk was fashioned out of oak.
shape
Like it or not, our families shape our lives.
engineer
The canals were both engineered by a farmer's son.
frame
manufacture
The first three models are being manufactured at our factory in Manchester.
put up
assemble
She was trying to assemble the bookcase when it collapsed.
put together
erect
Demonstrators have erected barricades in the roads.
fabricate
All the tools are fabricated from high-quality steel.
Opposites
level
,
destroy
,
devastate
,
dismantle
,
demolish
,
flatten
,
knock down
,
pull down
,
tear down
,
bulldoze
,
raze
2 (verb)
Definition
to compose (an argument or sentence)
You will find it difficult to construct a spending plan without first recording your outgoings.
Synonyms
create
He's creating a whole new language of painting.
make
They now make cars at two plants in Europe.
form
The bowl was formed out of clay.
set up
organize
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
compose
They agreed to form a council composed of leaders of the rival factions.
put together
formulate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assemble
Definition
to put together the parts of (a machine)
She was trying to assemble the bookcase when it collapsed.
Synonyms
put together,
make,
join,
set up,
manufacture,
build up,
connect,
construct,
erect,
piece together,
fabricate,
fit together
in the sense of compose
Definition
to be the component elements of
They agreed to form a council composed of leaders of the rival factions.
Synonyms
put together,
make up,
constitute,
comprise,
make,
build,
form,
fashion,
construct,
compound
in the sense of design
Definition
to plan and make (something) artistically
We may be able to design a course to suit your particular needs.