construct

American  

[kuhn-struhkt, kon-struhkt] / kənˈstrʌkt, ˈkɒn strʌkt /

verb (used with object)

constructs, present (3rd person singular) constructed, past participle, past constructing present participle

1. to build or form by putting together parts; frame; devise.

   Synonyms:

   form, erect

2. Geometry. to draw (a figure) fulfilling certain given conditions.

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noun

1. something constructed.

   Each musical note sign is a construct of three distinct parts: the head, the stem, and the hook.

2. a mental image, idea, or theory, especially a complex one formed from a number of simpler elements.

   Character is a construct of personal values, personal rules and morals, and a number of other facets, including self-control and willpower.

construct British  

verb

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

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noun

1. something formulated or built systematically

2. a complex idea resulting from a synthesis of simpler ideas

3. psychol a model devised on the basis of observation, designed to relate what is observed to some theoretical framework

Usage

What does construct mean? To construct means to build or create by putting parts together, as in Val constructed a whole town out of toy building blocks. A construct is something that is created, often with a complex form. The verb form of construct, pronounced kuhn-struhkt, is most often used to refer to buildings and monuments being built, but it can be used in any situation where something is built or parts are combined. You can construct a meal, for example, out of ingredients in your refrigerator or construct an outfit out of articles of clothing in your closet. The noun form of construct, pronounced kon-struhkt, is anything that is built, either literally or figuratively. It is most often used figuratively to describe something that is made up of practices or ideas from a specific philosophy or school of thought. Constructs are often complex theories that are informed by many smaller ideas of the way things work. Example: The gas company tried to construct a new pipeline, but the pipes kept leaking.

Synonym Usage

See make ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• constructor
  noun
• overconstruct
  verb (used with object)
• well-constructed
  adjective
• preconstruct
  verb (used with object)
• constructible
  adjective
• quasi-constructed
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have constructed
  perfect
• has constructed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is constructing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are constructing
  progressive
• has been constructing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• constructs
  singular 3rd person
• am constructing
  progressive 1st person singular
• constructing
  participle
• have been constructing
  perfect progressive

Past

• had constructed
  perfect
• had been constructing
  perfect progressive
• were constructing
  progressive plural
• constructed
  participle
• constructed
  simple
• was constructing
  progressive singular

Future

• will construct
  simple
• will have been constructing
  perfect progressive
• will have constructed
  perfect
• will be constructing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of construct

First recorded in 1400–50 for earlier past participle sense; 1655–65 for current senses; late Middle English, from Latin constrūctus (past participle of construere “to construe ”), equivalent to con- con- + strūc- (variant stem of struere “to build”) + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

To construct things is to build them. You might construct a sand castle the next time you're at the beach, or you might construct a theory about why your brother always manages to get away with breaking the rules. The verb construct comes from the Latin word constructus, meaning “to heap up.” If you work in construction you're in the business of building things, and you probably construct buildings, roads, municipal parks, and other large permanent structures. Students of psychology are familiar with the noun form of construct, which refers to an abstract concept. Much of psychological theory is founded on constructs — like gender, morality, and intelligence.

Example Sentences

But on Thursday, a US official confirmed to AFP that Washington was launching its own international coalition to restart shipping, dubbed "the Maritime Freedom Construct".

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

While the Maritime Freedom Construct isn’t a military coalition, the cable instructs U.S. officials to ask foreign counterparts whether they would like to be a “diplomatic and/or military partner.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

FAHA, co-author of the Life's Essential 8: Updating and Enhancing the American Heart Association's Construct of Cardiovascular Health, said the findings are consistent with prior research.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2024

A U.S.-backed maritime group called the International Maritime Security Construct “is notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimize the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to de-escalate,” Hawkins said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2023

Construct your own table of the Patriarchs,—your own analysis of the Law,—your own descent of the Kings,—your own enumeration of the Miracles.

From Inspiration and Interpretation Seven Sermons Preached Before the University of Oxford by Burgon, John William

Related Words

• build up
• compose
• create
• design
• erect
• establish
• fashion
• forge
• form
• formulate
• found
• manufacture
• organize
• produce
• put up
• set up
• shape